The Koutoubia Mosque is one of three surviving works from the Almohad Period (1147-1238 AD), making it one of the first stops for anyone visiting Marrakesh. With walls that look like they’ve been designed with lace behind a large plaza surrounded by porticos, and most importantly a 70-meter tall cubed minaret, the Koutoubia Mosque and its distinctive North African architecture is the highlight of the city for many tourists. The name of the mosque comes from the Arabic word for “book.\u201d The reason for this is that there was formerly a book market in front of the mosque. Don’t forget to take in the sunset over the mosque’s elegant decorations, incredible atmosphere and unique structural features. Koutoubia Mosque turns an almost pink color during the last light of the setting sun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Located in the heart of the old city, quiet enough during the daytime that you wouldn’t even notice it, this square dons a new costume in the evening. Both locals and tourists flock to this square, and walking amongst the crowds in the evening is an experience not to missed. How many amazing things can you fit in just one square? The answer is food stalls, monkey-tamers, fortune-tellers, snake charmers, henna tattoo artists, musicians and souvenir vendors! Even the aroma of the square is unique – the wafting of North African cuisine from the stalls, where the smell of spices mix with incense is incredible. The square\u00a0 that once held public executions is now one of the first places visited by tourists from all over the world. At night, the square is lit by thousands of lights, inspiring a plethora of novels and films. The square also plays an important role in Alfred Hitchcock\u2019s 1956 film The Man Who Knew Too Much<\/em>. The song “Marrakesh Night Market” by Canadian musician Loreena McKennitt is also about Jemaa el-Fnaa Square.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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