Koutoubia Mosque
Koutoubia Mosque is the earliest of the Almohad-era minarets, a symbol of Marrakech and an architectural benchmark. Its direct successor is the minaret of the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca.
General information
The Koutoubia Mosque is a lone minaret rising above the bustling chaos of Jemaa el Fna Square. Legend has it that after the minaret was erected, its spirit entered the city, and therefore all the walls and houses of the medina have the color of Koutoubia. Laid in 1158, this structure became the model for all Moroccan minarets – the ratio of width to height is 1:5 – although none has ever been able to match the elegant simplicity of the original. The three spheres at the top of Koutoubia are said to be a gift from Yacoub al-Man-sur’s wife, who melted down her jewelry to atone for her provocation: she ate three grapes during Ramadan.
.Located at the southeastern end of avenue Mohammed V.
.
