Kutubiyya

Kutubiyya Mosque, also known as Koutoubia Mosque, is a prominent mosque in Marrakech, Morocco. The name derives from kutub, the Arabic word for books, reflecting the historic book market that operated near the site. The mosque stands at the heart of Marrakech’s medina and is one of the city’s most recognizable symbols, with its minaret a defining feature of the skyline.

Construction of the Kutubiyya began in the late 12th century during the Almohad dynasty, with the project associated with Caliph Yaʿqub al-Mansur. The layout follows a typical Moorish plan, featuring a large square precinct, a hypostyle prayer hall, and a spacious courtyard. The minaret, completed in the same period, became a model for later towers in the region and for notable examples like the Giralda in Seville and Rabat’s Hassan Tower.

The minaret rises about 77 meters high and is distinguished by its robust geometric decoration, twin galleries, and a copper-tipped pinnacle. Its silhouette and design influenced subsequent North African and Iberian minarets, contributing to the broader spread of Almohad architectural ideas.

Today, Kutubiyya Mosque remains a functioning place of worship within Marrakech’s medina. Non-Muslim visitors are generally not admitted to the interior, but the exterior and surrounding grounds can be viewed. The mosque is part of the historic medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it plays a central role in Marrakech’s urban and cultural identity.

The Kutubiyya’s association with a medieval book market underscores Marrakech’s long history as a center of learning and commerce. The site continues to be a major reference point in discussions of Islamic architecture and Moroccan heritage.