The Koutoubia Mosque
History
The Koutoubia Mosque is a religious building built in the 12th century in Marrakech, Morocco. It is the largest mosque in the city. Its architecture and its ascetic decor reflect the art of the Almohads.
A first mosque was built in 1148 by Sultan Almohade Abdelmoumen after conquering Marrakech. He will rebuild a second version of similar size around 1158. This is the current version, the first having been demolished. Yacoub Al-Mansour will finalize the construction of the minaret around 1195
The Almohad dynasty patronized a rather austere architecture, reflecting a certain asceticism. The Koutoubia mosque is no exception: its sobriety is noticeable by its simplicity. The arches used can be overstepped or polylobed, but remain bare.
Urban and Architectural
It is organized on a "T" plan. This tradition has existed since the construction of the Great Mosque of Kairouan in the ninth century, and is also found in Spain. It is in fact a hypostyle Arab plan, that is, with a large courtyard surrounded by a portico and a prayer room with columns. The naves are perpendicular to the qibla wall, that of the center being wider; and the span that runs along the qibli wall is also magnified, which forms a T, hence the name. The mihrab is treated as a very deep niche, and the minaret, 77 m high, is of square section, according to the tradition of the Muslim West.
Description
The minaret is later (completion in 1196), is more decorated: we notice in particular an important work of interlaced arches (sebka). It is surmounted by three golden copper balls which would symbolize the three mosques of Islam Kaaba (Mecca), Medina, and Jerusalem. It served, among other things, as a model for the Giralda in Seville.
The external decoration of the minaret is different on the four sides: painting on plaster with floral and epigraphic ornaments, network of interlacing in relief where the paintings are interspersed, headband of earthenware with white net on a turquoise background, sometimes intertwined arcades. It is built in schistose sandstone originating from the Guéliz quarries. Admirably proportioned: 12.80 on a side for 69 in height with the skylight (77 m to the tip of the arrow), with an exterior wall of 2.50 m. In the center of the tower, an outer core houses six superimposed rooms. Around it, a gently sloping ramp leads to the walkway.
The platform is surrounded by a walkway protected by a jagged balustrade of merlons. The lantern, 16 m high, appears as a second minaret placed on the first. It is surmounted by a metal rod to which are attached four golden balls of decreasing size, the largest being 6 m in diameter. They are made of gilded copper plates riveted together.
Details
Location
Medina Jamaa El Fena, 40000, Maroc
Worshippers
3000
Owners
Sultan Almohade Abdelmoume
Year of Build
1148
Area
6000
Drawings
Map
History
The Koutoubia Mosque is a religious building built in the 12th century in Marrakech, Morocco. It is the largest mosque in the city. Its architecture and its ascetic decor reflect the art of the Almohads.
A first mosque was built in 1148 by Sultan Almohade Abdelmoumen after conquering Marrakech. He will rebuild a second version of similar size around 1158. This is the current version, the first having been demolished. Yacoub Al-Mansour will finalize the construction of the minaret around 1195
The Almohad dynasty patronized a rather austere architecture, reflecting a certain asceticism. The Koutoubia mosque is no exception: its sobriety is noticeable by its simplicity. The arches used can be overstepped or polylobed, but remain bare.
Urban and Architectural
It is organized on a "T" plan. This tradition has existed since the construction of the Great Mosque of Kairouan in the ninth century, and is also found in Spain. It is in fact a hypostyle Arab plan, that is, with a large courtyard surrounded by a portico and a prayer room with columns. The naves are perpendicular to the qibla wall, that of the center being wider; and the span that runs along the qibli wall is also magnified, which forms a T, hence the name. The mihrab is treated as a very deep niche, and the minaret, 77 m high, is of square section, according to the tradition of the Muslim West.
Description
The minaret is later (completion in 1196), is more decorated: we notice in particular an important work of interlaced arches (sebka). It is surmounted by three golden copper balls which would symbolize the three mosques of Islam Kaaba (Mecca), Medina, and Jerusalem. It served, among other things, as a model for the Giralda in Seville.
The external decoration of the minaret is different on the four sides: painting on plaster with floral and epigraphic ornaments, network of interlacing in relief where the paintings are interspersed, headband of earthenware with white net on a turquoise background, sometimes intertwined arcades. It is built in schistose sandstone originating from the Guéliz quarries. Admirably proportioned: 12.80 on a side for 69 in height with the skylight (77 m to the tip of the arrow), with an exterior wall of 2.50 m. In the center of the tower, an outer core houses six superimposed rooms. Around it, a gently sloping ramp leads to the walkway.
The platform is surrounded by a walkway protected by a jagged balustrade of merlons. The lantern, 16 m high, appears as a second minaret placed on the first. It is surmounted by a metal rod to which are attached four golden balls of decreasing size, the largest being 6 m in diameter. They are made of gilded copper plates riveted together.