Are you going to Marrakech in Morocco, a gem of North Africa? To enjoy a cultural and spiritual break during your trip on site, we present the splendid Koutoubia Mosque!
This religious building is famous in the Muslim world and recognized worldwide as one of the most famous mosques celebrating Islam. In fact, unlike others, it is not distinguished by its architecture or ornaments but by a certain stylistic austerity, a certain aesthetic stripping, except for its minaret of the 12th century, richerly decorated.
It attracts thousands of visitors every year, whether faithful or not, and we recommend you to make a jump there if you are on your way to Marrakech: to convince you and help you there, we have prepared a concise and practical travel guide to find all the necessary practical information: a rapid history of the place, major attractions and elements not to be missed on site, as well as the access to the right moment, the schedules and the rates to offer you a first-of-choice
Ready? Here we go!
History of the Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakech
Photo credit: Flickr – Jennifer Stahn
Captured by the Almohades dynasty in the 12th century, the city of Marrakech was then under the domination of the Almoravids, jurified enemies of the Almohades because. considered heretics by the Almohades! Abd-al-Mu’min , which won the city, was designated responsible for the design of the first Koutoubia mosque, on a plot of the ancient palace of Ali ibn Yusuf located in the south-west area of the medina. Built between 1147 and 1157, so in only ten years, this first mosque was rebuilt at the end of the 12th century because the mihrab (niche of prayer) was not exactly directed to Mecca!
At the time the Andalusians ended up defeating the Almohade dynasty, this alignment problem became minor in their eyes, but a new mosque was finally built next to the first: the two were built identical – whether for the layout, architecture, dimensions, materials and inscriptions – only their geographical orientation was slightly different.. But the correction was wrong! In fact, the first mosque saw its five-degree semihrab outside the alignment with Mecca, while the second one increased this gap by deferring it by an additional five degrees!
In both cases, these two mosques were built under the reign of Abd al-Mu’min between 1130 and 1163. Finally deteriorated then left to abandon, the first mosque no longer exists today - only its ruins, that it is possible to discover during your visit on site- and when you come to visit the Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakech, you come to admire the second version of it.
What to see and do at the Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakech?
Photo credit: Flickr – Mzximvs VdB
What must be understood is that the Almohades dynasty favoured a rather austere architecture: stripped, its arcs remain naked and devoid of rich decorations. It is therefore not the building in itself that is extraordinary, but the elements around it.
The minaret , for example, later built, was indeed more ostentatious in its design, with incredible interlaced arches named “sebka”, revealing a unique know-how; dominated by three golden copper balls symbolizing the three great mosques of Islam that are the Kaaba (in Mecca), that of Al Qods and that of Medina. A legend tells us that these three balls were made with melted gold.. from the jewels of the wife of the caliph, who had the strength to eat the day during the Ramadan!
It is this minaret that served as a model for the Giralda de Seville ! Its exterior decor is different on its four faces, with painted floral ornaments, network of interlaces in relief, strips of white mosaics on turquoise background, and was built in shale sandstones from Guéliz’s careers. Its proportions are close to perfection: 12.8 meters side, 69 meters high and up to 77 counting the tip of the arrow. This tower is home to six bunk rooms, surrounded by a ramp leading to a round road protected by a slit railing, a real goldsmith jewel!
The lanternon , measuring almost sixteen meters, curiously resembles a second minaret... laid on the first!
liberary mosque (yes, it is the other name of the Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakech) also housed a splendid minbar , an escabeau serving as a chair and hence the sermon of the Friday prayer is spoken by a religious official. This jewel of Moroccan art ordered by the Sultan Ali Ben Youssef was built in Cordoba from 1137: its elaboration took more than eight years! Then, safely transported to Marrakech in the Ali Mosque, he was then moved to the Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakech where he was quickly described as a work of perfection. Indeed, decorated with silver and rare wood marquetry, this monument composed of a thousand cedar pieces is a truly exceptional piece... and ingeniously designed and used: hidden in a niche close to the mihrab, it was extracted every Friday thanks to a clever invisible system made of pulleys and cordages. Retired from the Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakech in 1962 to restore it, it is now visible in a small building located at the northeast corner of the El Badi Palace `, close.
If you visit the Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakech, you will be able to rest in the splendid gardens of the Lalla Hasna Park , which surround the mosque, and which have splendid green alleys and refreshing richly decorated fountains. Or to discover the ruins of the ancient mosque (its first version), right next to it!
How to go to the Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakech?
Visit the Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakech can be done by accessing it, only five minutes walk from the famous place Jemaa el-Fna , or in ten minutes from the souk of Marrakech.
Regarding public transport, they are existing but their use is complicated given the fact that traffic is often chaotic! We recommend you, when you come to visit the Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakech, and if you come from a point far from take a taxi , very affordable, and will certainly train you to the demanding art of merchanting. ♪ rental vehicles can also be considered, but it is often difficult to adapt to dense traffic and to find a place nearby. So take the taxis!
Schedules & Prices of the Koutoubia Mosque
Photo credit: Flickr – Just Booked A Trip
It is very simple: the Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakech is open every day, from 9am to 6pm free, for all.
But we recommend that you carefully select, and upstream, the precise moment of your visit: in addition to the Fridays of prayer, where the place of worship is very difficult to access and to visit, the Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakech is, to the regular prayer hours , also taken by the faithful.. before being, during the high summer tourist season, invaded by tourists and visitors of all kinds !
We, what we advise you, is to enjoy the calm of the place during the low season and by teaching you on prayer times, which may be brought to change according to the period of the year. So you can enjoy your visit to the beautiful Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakech!
BON A LEARN
- Animals are prohibited throughout the Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakech.
- Non-Muslims will not be able to access the Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakech. This is how! But you can still discover it from the outside, and it is probably what, from a tourist point of view, turns out to be the most interesting.
- It normally goes without saying, but let’s remember it all the same: it is necessary to behave properly, and to dress accordingly in this place of worship.
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