Kutubiyya Mosque is the largest temple of that type in Morocco. It is located in the medina quarter in Marrakesh. The name “medina” is used for referring to the old districts of Arab cities. We may say that that medina quarters are equivalent to the European old towns. There are usually old temples, market squares and historic buildings. The medina in Marrakesh, together with the Kutubiyya Mosque, are the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The mosque was built in the 12th century. Its name derives from the Arabic word “al-Kutubiyyin”, i.e. a librarian and refers to the tradition of selling manuscripts by small retailers. The 69-meter minaret is decorated with the ceramic mosaic and richly ornamented windows which are arranged in intricate patterns. It towers over the city’s main square and reminds of the sultans’ former glory.
