The Koutoubia Mosque is the most important mosque in Marrakech and was one of the largest places of worship of followers of Islam when it was built in the 12th century. When the Almoravid dynasty ruled Marrakech, a mosque was built on the same site as the Kutubia Mosque. When the Almohadi dynasty took over the city, they destroyed most of the city along with the mosque. No Almohad would ever think of praying in a building built by his enemy. A new mosque was built on the same site, and parts of today's mosque date back to the time of Sultan Abd el-Moumen. The problem with the orientation of the mosque that was not facing Mecca resulted in the construction of another mosque to correct this mistake - so Koutoubia is actually a double mosque.
The mosque covers an area of 5.400 m2 and can accommodate up to 25.000 worshipers at a time. The mosque is adorned with 112 pillars and 17 passages, it was made in the Moorish style and was considered a top architectural work, which it really is. The mosque is decorated with a unique dome, painted ceilings and amazing arches made in the Moorish and Spanish style. It is also interesting that such important and large places of worship were welcomed by a shift of several rulers until they were finally completed, which was not the case with this mosque, which was built during the reign of only one man.
Legend has it that the minaret of the mosque was supposed to be decorated with 3 golden balls. However, the wife of Sultan Yacoub el Mansor gave her gold jewelry to be melted so the fourth ball could be made. This unique minaret was a real treasure at that time, not only in its value but also in the way it was made. The minarets of the Giralda tower in Seville and Hassan in Rabat are modeled on the Kutubia minaret.
Visitors who are not members of the Islamic religion can only visit the mosque from the outside, but they are not allowed to go inside. Only people of the Islamic faith can visit the mosque.
