Ben Salah Mosque, Marinid mosque in Medina of Marrakesh, Morocco
Ben Salah Mosque is a prayer hall in Marrakesh's medina featuring nine aisles arranged in a T-shaped layout that lead toward a central prayer niche. An adjacent educational building on two levels contains multiple chambers for learning and instruction.
Construction began in 1318 and finished in 1321 during the reign of Marinid Sultan Abu Said Uthman II. This period marked an era of significant building activity by the ruling dynasty across the city.
The minaret displays geometric patterns and curved archways across its decorated facades, reflecting the artistic taste of the period when it was built. These features connect the structure to the broader design traditions practiced throughout medieval Marrakesh.
The building is divided into distinct sections that can be explored progressively, with a clear flow from entry points toward the main prayer space. Comfortable shoes are advisable as the site involves multiple levels and transitions between areas.
It stands as the only major Marinid-era monument that has survived in Marrakesh, with a minaret shaped by design principles seen at the nearby Kasbah Mosque. Its preservation makes it a rare example of this building tradition in the city.
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