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Kairaouine Mosque Fez

History

Kairaouine Mosque of Fez is one of Africa’s oldest mosque and possible the oldest university in the world. It is the second largest mosque in Morocco after the new Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca. While the original mosque was only about 30 meters long with four aisles, the building has undergone roughly 1000 years of development. 
The mosque has two minarets, the original one and the Burj an-Naffara (Trumpeter’s Tower) and a smaller, white one. The original minaret is the oldest Islamic monument in Fez, dating from 956. The complex was established in 859 by Fatima El Fihri, a female Tunisian refugee, and expanded by the Almoravids in the 12th century, and can accommodate up to 20,000 people at prayer.

White minaret is one of the two minarets of Kairaouine Mosque Fez
White minaret is one of the two minarets of Kairaouine Mosque Fez
Minaret with the mountains in the background
Minaret with the mountains in the background
Second minaret of the mosque rises above the old medina
Second minaret of the mosque rises above the old medina
Ablution area of the Kairaouine Mosque, seen from outside
Ablution area of the Kairaouine Mosque, seen from outside
A lamp hangs from the ceiling beside the main door
Gate of Al-Shameen of the Kairaouine Mosque Fez
Gate of Al-Shameen of the Kairaouine Mosque Fez
An arch leads to the main courtyard and prayer hall
An arch leads to the main courtyard and prayer hall
Smaller minaret rises above the courtyard fountain
Smaller minaret rises above the courtyard fountain
Door of the mosque door, seen from inside
Door of the mosque door, seen from inside
Very distinctive pink colour and plaster work on the door of Kairaouine Mosque Fez

Fountain in the Courtyard

In the center of the courtyard is a large fountain. It resembles to one in the Alhambra at Granada, Spain. In the summer, the courtyard serves as the main prayer hall. It has its own mehrab directly opposite the main entrance. There are tiles, plasterwork, woodcarvings, paintings and courtyards, which all add to the overall allure of this prestigious building.

This fountain looks like one in the Court of the Lions in Alhambra Palace in Granada
Some of the finest wood work at the top of the fountain inside the Kairaouine Mosque Fez
Some of the finest wood work at the top of the fountain inside the Kairaouine Mosque Fez
Supporting columns and plaster work on the fountain
Motifs and tilework around the ablution area
Motifs and tilework around the ablution area
Here, two minarets of the mosque can be seen together
Here, two minarets of the mosque can be seen together
Main prayer hall of the Kairaouine Mosque Fez
Main prayer hall of the Kairaouine Mosque Fez
Arches of the main prayer hall
A wooden minbar for imam for Friday sermon
A wooden minbar for imam for Friday sermon
Zaighum Abbas Ranjha - Al-Kairaouine Mosque Fez
Zaighum Abbas Ranjha - Al-Kairaouine Mosque Fez
Two beggars beside the main door