About
The Koutoubia Mosque stands on Avenue Mohammed V in Marrakech, Morocco, and is the largest mosque in the city. Its tall minaret, about 77 metres high, is the most recognisable landmark in Marrakech, and it can be seen from many streets and squares across the old town. Visitors often use it as a point of orientation as they walk through the medina.
The mosque was built in the 12th century during the Almohad dynasty. It is also known as the Kutubiyya Mosque, a name that is often translated as the Mosque of the Booksellers, a reference to the book market that once surrounded it.
What a visit offers
- The minaret: the tower is the mosque's defining feature and the reason many people come to see it up close.
- The surrounding area: the mosque sits near the lively heart of Marrakech, so a stop here fits naturally into a walk through the old city.
- Photography: the minaret looks especially striking from the gardens and open spaces nearby.
Planning your trip
The mosque is a place of worship, so visitors should dress modestly and behave with quiet respect. Contact details for the site are a telephone line, +212 524-443424. Because visiting arrangements can change, it is sensible to check with the mosque directly before you go.
Combine a visit here with the other sights of Marrakech, and you will find the mosque a fitting introduction to the city's architecture and its long history.
