Descripción del sitio
The Koutubia Mosque marks the heart of Marrakesh and the imposing minarets can be seen from every part of the city. Build out of pink sandstone from the quarries in the surrounding hills, the minaret changes shades of orange and pink as the sun crosses the sky. The tower is over 220 feet tall and is crowned by four large spheres. According to legend, they were originally made of pure gold, and there were once supposed to have been only three. The fourth was donated by the wife of Yacoub el Mansour as compensation for her failure to keep the fast for one day during the month of Ramadan. She had her golden jewelry melted down, to fashion the fourth globe. Constructed in 1160 by the Almohad ruler 'Abd al-Mu'min, this hall-type mosque is the largest of its kind and can house over 25,000 Muslims for prayer services. The term Koutobia was applied to the mosque due to the book sellers who set up there stalls in this area of town. Hill, Derek. "Islamic Architecture in North Africa." Hamden: Archon Books, 1976. 125-6. Hutt, Antony. "Islamic Architecture: North Africa." London: Scorpion Publications, 1977. 41.Parker, Richard. "A Practicle Guide To Islamic Monuments in Morocco." Charlottesville: The Baraka Press, 1981. 59.