Ben Youssef Mosque

The Ben Youssef Mosque bears the name of one of Morocco’s greatest sultans and a member of the Almoravid dynasty, Ali Ben Youssef. He ruled Morocco for 37 years between 1106 and 1143. His success in defeating Alfonso VI, King of Castile and Leon, who had come to reconquer Muslim Spain in 1108, makes him one of the country’s most prominent sultans.

The battle was won by the Almoravids, thanks to Ali Ben Youssef, who sent troops to defend the Muslims. The Almoravids executed the son of Alfonso VI, who never recovered from his defeat and died a year later without being able to complete his reconquest. This victory marked history and forged the reputation of the sultan who conquered the Taifa of Saragossa in northern Spain two years later, then fortified the city of Marrakech to ensure its protection.

The mosque is named after this historical figure, even though he was not the one who had it built. It was actually built a little earlier, in 1070 to be precise, by Emir Youssef ben Tachfine, the first sultan of the Almoravid dynasty and founder of Marrakech. The mosque was later enlarged during the reign of his son, Ali Ben Youssef, making it the largest mosque in the Almoravid empire. The Medina was built around this mosque, making it the centre of the city.

Unfortunately, what you’re looking at is not the original mosque. Repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt by the various dynasties that reigned, the mosque fell into ruin in the 18th century and was demolished. At the beginning of the 19th century, the Alaouite sultan Soliman rebuilt a mosque on this site, with an architecture that was completely different from that originally used by the Almoravids. All that remains of its former appearance is its name, Ben Youssef.

Nevertheless, it remains one of the most important mosques in Marrakech, featuring a minaret measuring over 40 metres high. Only people of the Muslim faith are allowed to enter.