Koutoubia Minaret & Koutoubia Gardens, Marrakesh

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Koutoubia Mosque, the largest in Marrakech, derives its name from "books" due to the sellers of manuscripts who used to be stationed by the mosque. It was first built by Almohad dynasty in the middle of the 12th century, over the remains of an older Almoravides-period palace, but was quickly destroyed and rebuilt as the original structure was not correctly aligned to Mecca. The minaret was added in the second half of the 12th century and served as a model for la Giralda in Seville, a testament to the importance of Marrakech and its architecture. The simple architectural style of the mosque is typical of the period, which is a contrast to the highly ornate style of the later Saadian period. Tourists are not permitted to enter the mosque, and photographing the inside is not tolerated either (I had to snap quickly while standing outside).

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The Koutoubia Minaret is the uncontested symbol of Marrakech, and the highest structure in the city. At 77 metres, no building is allowed to exceed its height, even today. It was added to the original Koutoubia Mosque in the late 12th century and is the only remaining structure from the old mosque, which was torn down shortly after its completion because it was not properly aligned with Mecca. The minaret is believed to have been entirely covered in tiles in its early days. La Koutoubia's resemblance to Seville's la Giralda is no accident as it served as a model for Seville's minaret.

The Kotoubia Mosque (built in 1162 by the Almohads) is a significant architectural landmark of Marrakech. The name means "bookseller`s mosque", and it is said that the minaret once had a ramp which enabled the Imam to horse-ride up to the tower. The minaret tower is similar to the "Giralda" tower in Sevilla.

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After his victory over the Almovarids the Almohad Sultan Abd el- Moumen started building this largest mosque of Marrakech. The minaret has a height of about 70 metres and can be seen from miles in and around the city, especially during the evening when it is floodlighted.
The tower has six rooms and a ramp, which allowed donkeys to ride up to the top. The minaret has a remarkable green tiled decoration just beneath the balcony and its top is adorned by four copper globes.
The main prayer hall with its arches can accommodate about 20.000 people.

For us ass non-Muslim it was not possible to visit the interior of the mosque or the top of the minaret. So we just walked around and enjoyed the architecture of its pink stone walls and gateways. Especially the entrance to the Koutoubia Courtyard is very beautiful. Koutoubia Mosque is built next to the original mosque from 1147 (demolished because its ‘qibla’ wall was not correctly oriented towards Mecca) and the foundations can be seen through a gate.

Koutoubia is surrounded by rather nice gardens with palm and orange trees; just nice to have a rest enjoying the impressive minaret of the mosque, while Moroccan boys are playing soccer, perhaps dreaming of a career somewhere in Europe.

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The minaret of the Koutoubia belongs to the Koutoubia Mosque - although very few people remember seeing the mosque. This minaret is so beautiful that it steals the show. The origin of the name has to do with what was sold all around it: manuscripts... al-Koutoubiyyin, in fact, means librarian.

The 69 metres tall minaret of the Koutoubia was built by Caliph Yaqub al-Mansur (1184-1199) and, because of its beauty, it was used first as model for the Giralda of Seville (Spain) and then again for the Hassan Tower of Rabat, the capital of Morocco. Unofficially, though, many other buildings took inspiration from this "tower" - including the Manhattan Municipal Building. It appears that Stalin had been fascinated by it, too... and had used it as its inspiration here and there, in the Kremlin in Moscow.

The name Koutoubia comes from the Arabic al-Koutoubiyyin for librarian, since it used to be surrounded by sellers of manuscripts. It is considered the ultimate structure of its kind. The tower is 69 m (221 ft) in height and has a lateral length of 12.8 m (41 ft). Six rooms (one above the other) constitute the interior; leading around them is a ramp by way of which the muezzin could ride up to the balcony. It is built in a traditional Almohad style and the tower is adorned with four copper globes.

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One of Marrakeshs' landmarks. The 221 ft high square minaret is the tallest in Marrakesh and can be seen for miles away (it was my last sight of Marrakesh as I boarded my plane home)

Koutoub or Kutub is Arabic for books, the mosque was built on the site of an old booksellers market or library (I've been told both versions)

Dating back to the 12th Century, the square design inspired the Girald in Seville and Hassan Tower in Rabat.
Inside the minaret are 6 rooms,with a ramp running on their outer from top to bottom, which the muezzin could ride to the top.

At the top of the tower can be seen a wooden scaffold..our guide told us this is where they hang their wives who can't cook! However, it's purpose is to assist the deaf...as they can't hear the call to prayer, a flag is hoisted at the appropriate times. ( I didn't get chance to spot the flag, but I'll look out next time!)

Four solid gold balls are at the very top of the minaret. Apparently the 4th ball was added by the wife of Ysaub El Mansour, when her jewellery was melted as a penance for failing to fast. (I've since read the spheres are copper not gold!

Each side of the minaret is decorated with different carved stonework panels and carvings. The green tiles are a typical feature of Islamic architecture.

The mosque isn't open to non-muslims. However, there is quite a bit to see from the outside.

Apologies for my attempts at night time photography.

This 12th century mosque, started in 1150 and completed later in the 12th century by Sultan Yacoub el Mansour, has become the symbol and dominant landmark of Marrakesh. This crenulated (castlellated) minaret design is typical of mosques all over Morocco, basically four-sided and looking like a fortress tower (unlike the round shape across the rest of the Islamic world).

As regards the tourist, the mosque's minaret also acts as a landmark by which to find their way to 'Djemaa el Fna' Square. If lost, get into the open and look for the minaret. The square is visible across the road from it down a broad pedestrian avenue with a big western hotel on the left hand side.

An interesting story told by a local guide here was about the wearing of the veil by Muslim women and it may be asking different people may solicit different views. He said that the wearing of the veil was something that started out in the deserts by nomad women to keep the dust and sand out of their face and it's perception as a symbol of Islam was incorrect. He commented that this interpretation was due to a misinterpretation of the Koran about women dressing modestly. What was actually meant by this at the time of Mohammed, I as a non-Muslim will not comment, but I am aware that to this day that the interpretation of the Koran is still debated by some Islamic scholars. This is something for Muslims to decide and I intend to stay out of this one.

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The Koutoubia mosque is the one you can't fail to miss given its tall minaret and its prime location, southwest of the main square, Djemma el-Fna. It looks great at night from the square. We could only admire it from the outside, as, like most mosques in Morocco, it's not open to non-Muslims

Nearly 70 metres high and built in in classic Moroccan style (width:height ratio of 1:5) the Minaret is the most prominent landmark in the city and, given the lack of high buildings, it’s visible from quite a distance away. The mosque was built following the Almohad reign in the 12th century and it quickly set the standard for other mosques in the country.