Whispers of history echo within these walls. The Kutubiyya Mosque stands before you a testament to faith and power. It wasn’t always this way. This magnificent structure is actually the second mosque built on this very spot. The first Kutubiyya Mosque was constructed by the Almohad ruler Abd-al-Mu’min in the twelfth century. He built it on the ruins of Almoravid leader Ali bin Yusuf’s palace. Construction of the first Kutubiyya began between 1147 and 1154. It was completed by 1157.
The original mosque was impressive. It was a rectangle about 80 meters wide and 60 meters long. The prayer hall was T-shaped with seventeen parallel naves. It could hold a staggering 20 000 worshippers. The building materials were primarily brick and sandstone. It boasted spectacular decorative features.
Two elements were particularly remarkable: the retractable maqsura and minbar. These were designed by the ingenious engineer al-Hajj Ya’ish of Malaga. The imam’s weight activated a system of counterweights and pulleys. This ingenious system moved the minbar into the prayer hall. The maqsura a carved wooden screen rose from the floor to provide privacy for the prince and his court. Legend says it could hold a thousand men.
The first Kutubiyya also housed a room for the Koran of Cordoba. This treasured text was acquired in 1157 and displayed in luxurious surroundings. The original minbar now resides in the Badi Palace. It is a masterpiece of eleventh-century Andalusian decorative arts. Its intricate carvings and bone inlays are unparalleled.
Why build two almost identical mosques so close together? Several theories exist. Some suggest the second corrected the qibla orientation of the first. Others propose Marrakech’s growing population demanded a larger mosque. A third theory attributes it to Abd-al-Mu’min’s desire for a grand legacy. Regardless the first mosque eventually fell into ruin.
The minaret that you see towering above the Kutubiyya Mosque was built after the first mosque. Its orientation matches the second mosque. This suggests it was built after the first qibla was deemed inaccurate. The minaret stands 77 meters tall a landmark of Marrakesh. It’s design influenced other famous structures the Giralda in Seville and the Hassan Mosque in Rabat.
The second Kutubiyya the one you see before you is virtually identical to the first. Its slight modification was the adjusted qibla orientation. Ironically this new orientation pointed further from Mecca than the original. The interior is now simply painted white with multi-toned rush mats on the floor. The Kutubiyya Mosque even after losing its status as the main Friday mosque remains a significant example of Almohad architecture. Its minaret did suffer minor damage in the September 8 earthquake but has since been repaired. So gaze upon the Kutubiyya Mosque a silent story of faith ambition and the enduring power of human ingenuity.