Koutoubia

The Koutoubia, also known as the Kutubiyya Mosque, is a historic mosque in Marrakech, Morocco. It is best known for its 12th‑century minaret, a defining symbol of the city and a prominent example of Almohad architecture. The name derives from the Arabic kutubiyyin, book traders who once operated in the market area near the mosque.

Construction of the mosque began in the 12th century under Almohad rule, commissioned by Caliph Yaqub al-Mansur and completed in the late 12th or early 13th century. Its minaret served as a model for other North African and Iberian towers, notably Seville’s Giralda and Rabat’s Hassan Tower. The design and decoration reflect the Almohad emphasis on geometry, horseshoe arches, and decorative stonework.

The minaret rises about 77 meters and has a square plan with three progressively narrower tiers. It is clad in pinkish sandstone with bands of marble and brick, and it features horseshoe arches and projecting balconies. The tower is crowned by a copper spire and a crescent, which once supported a gilded tip. The mosque itself contains a large hypostyle prayer hall and a courtyard; interior access is typically restricted to worshippers, while the exterior is visible from surrounding streets and squares.

Today the Koutoubia remains Marrakech’s most recognizable landmark, shaping the city’s silhouette and influencing regional Islamic architecture. It forms part of the historic medina and adjoining gardens, attracting visitors who view its exterior and minaret, even as the site continues to function as a place of worship.