Koutoubia Mosque
From my homecity,The koutoubiya mosque is the largest mosque in Marrakeech with an area of 58.000 sq.ft, it is located in the southwest of the medina of Marrakech, near the famous square Jamaa el fna.
the mosque was founded in 1147 by Almohad caliph Abd al-Mu’min, right after he claimed Marrakech, it is considered a classic and important example of Almohad architecture and the Moroccan architecture generally.
Architecture:
The mosque is mainly made of two mosques, they are both almost identical except the orientation, however what everything else is identical , the mosque is typical Almohad designs, and its various elements resemble those of many mosques from the same period.
The mosque is located in a large plaza with gardens, and is floodlit at night.There are eight entrances to the mosque: four on the west side and four on the east side. The eastern side faces the street where book shops were located, and that is were it got the other name Booksellers’ Mosque, and there is also a private entrance for the Imam on the south side.
The minaret is designed in Almohad style and was constructed in rubble masonry using sandstone. It was historically covered with Marrakshi pink plaster, but in the 1990s, experts opted to expose the original stone work and removed the plaster. The minaret tower is 77 meters (253 ft) in height, including the spire, itself 8 meters (26 ft) tall.
The Koutoubia Mosque, is by far one of the very distinguished monuments that I like about my city, there hasn’t been a single day (since I moved out form Marrakech) that I visited my city and didn’t go there, its architecture is unique and old but it always reminds me of who I am and where I came from. Even if I am not that much of a religious person but I find inner peace whenever I go by the mosque.
The location of this construction is also what makes it distinguished not to me only, but probably every person from Marrakech since it is located in the heart of Marrakech, which makes every rooftop or sky look directly into it, and trust your eyes will love the view the same way I do.