Bou Jeloud Mosque, 13th century mosque near Bou Jeloud Square, Fez, Morocco
Bou Jeloud Mosque in Fez features distinctive horseshoe arches that frame the brick columns supporting its prayer hall, while a central fountain sits in the open courtyard. The thick brick walls define the interior spaces and create a sense of shelter throughout the building.
The mosque was built between 1184 and 1199 during the Almohad period under Abu Yusuf Yaqub al-Mansur, replacing an earlier Almoravid fortress on the same site. The Marinid dynasty later added to its importance in Fez's religious landscape during their rule.
The mosque serves as a central gathering place for Sunni Muslim worshippers in Fez's old city, where daily prayers and religious learning happen regularly. Local residents continue to use it as part of their everyday spiritual practice.
Visitors should dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered before entering, and remove shoes at the entrance. It is best to avoid peak prayer times, which are posted at the building's main access point.
The minaret carries one of the earliest known foundation inscriptions from the Marinid dynasty, making it a rare example of early dynastic marking on a monument. This inscription from the early 1200s holds particular importance for scholars of the period.
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