Koutoubia Mosque - Marrakech

 Koutoubia Mosque is the largest mosque in Marrakesh, Morocco

The mosque's name is also variably rendered as Jami' al-Kutubiyah, Kutubiya Mosque, Kutubiyyin Mosque, and Mosque of the Booksellers.

It is located in the southwest medina quarter of Marrakesh, near the famous public place of Jemaa el-Fna, and is flanked by large gardens.

The mosque was founded in 1147 by the Almohad caliph Abd al-Mu'min right after he conquered Marrakesh from the Almoravids.

A second version of the mosque was entirely rebuilt by Abd al-Mu'min around 1158, with Ya'qub al-Mansur possibly finalizing construction of the minaret around 1195.

This second mosque is the structure that stands today.

It is considered a classic and important example of Almohad architecture and of Moroccan mosque architecture generally.

Pictures :

- Remains of the mihrab area of the first Kutubiyya Mosque, on the exterior northern wall of the current mosque -

- Kutubiyya Mosque, with remains of the first mosque in foreground -

- Horseshoe arches inside the prayer hall of the mosque -

- Gardens flank the Kutubiyya Mosque -