Koutoubia Mosque

The Koutoubia Mosque is a religious monument in the Medina of Marrakesh with a tall minaret that rises above the rooftops in several tiers. Its outer walls display carved stone, tile mosaics, and arches typical of Moroccan sacred architecture.

The Almohad dynasty ordered its construction in the middle of the 12th century after driving the Almoravids from Marrakesh. A new building was later raised on the same site to set a religious standard for their rule.

Its name recalls the manuscript traders who once worked in the lanes nearby, selling and copying handwritten texts. Worshippers gather here for daily prayer, and the structure continues to mark the rhythm of religious life in the Medina.

The minaret stands a short walk from Djemaa el-Fna square and serves as a landmark visible from many points across the Medina. Non-Muslims cannot enter the prayer hall, but the surrounding rose gardens remain open for walking and viewing the exterior.

Inside the tower, six floors rise one above the other and connect through ramps instead of staircases. These wide slopes were designed so the muezzin could ride a horse to the top for calling prayer.

Location: Marrakesh

Inception: 1147

Architectural style: Moorish architecture, Moroccan architecture

Height: 68 m

Part of: Medina of Marrakesh

GPS coordinates: 31.62412,-7.99354

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:41