Koutoubia Mosque

The Koutoubia Mosque, with its majestic 77-meter-high minaret, has served as Marrakech's spiritual beacon for over 850 years. Its silhouette defines the city's skyline, visible from miles away and serving as an orientation point for travelers navigating the medina's labyrinthine streets. Built in 1158 during the Almohad dynasty, the Koutoubia represents the pinnacle of Almohad architecture. The minaret's proportions—width to height ratio of 1:5—became the template for other North African and Spanish Islamic architecture, including the Giralda in Seville and the Hassan Tower in Rabat. The mosque's name derives from "koutoubiyyin," meaning booksellers, as the area was once the city's book market. Every surface of the minaret displays intricate geometric patterns and horseshoe arches. At night, the minaret is illuminated, creating a stunning landmark against the dark sky. The call to prayer that echoes from its heights five times daily is one of the most evocative sounds in Morocco. The surrounding gardens, particularly beautiful in spring, offer peaceful walking paths where locals come to relax. Though non-Muslims cannot enter the mosque itself, the exterior and gardens provide ample opportunity to appreciate this architectural masterpiece.