As soon as you approach the city on your trip to Marrakech, in Morocco, you’ll soon be able to see the large icon of the same, the Minaret of the Koutoubia mosque, which can be seen from practically all over the city, have become its central axis.
The Koutoubia is located on the edge of the Medina of Marrakech, close to the famous Jemaa El Fna square, the great mosque of the city, and its minaret Tower is the tallest building in the same (is not allowed to build any more high), with its 69 meters of height.
The Koutoubia mosque was finished in 1147, at the site where previously there was an Almoravid Palace.
But after the construction of the mosque, realized that it was not well oriented to Mecca, which is why the building was demolished and turned to construct a new building.
The first mosque, whose foundations can still be seen, its best-known element, the minaret was preserved. New the Koutoubia mosque completed in 1158. and a staff of 60 m long and 90 meters wide, has 17 buildings.
Square-shaped, and 13 meters in length on each side, the Minaret of the Koutoubia in Marrakech is an example of the Almohad art.
With apparent simplicity, but it is a careful ornamentation, which is different on each side. The initial decoration, however, been lost paintings and mosaics. Its needle with four large golden balls, who once said that they were gold highlights on its dome.
The interior of the Koutoubia in Marrakech only can visit it the Muslims, so you will have to settle for contemplating its exterior, in particular, its imposing minaret.
While can see you very well bringing you from Jemaa El Fna square, without a doubt the best place to enjoy its beauty is from the gardens lie on its West side, path of the Kasba, and is a place of heaven among palms.