Koutoubia Minaret: The Almohad Architectural Revolution

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the architectural and political ambition behind the Koutoubia Minaret in Marrakech, built under the Almohad caliph Yaqub al-Mansur in the late 12th century. They discuss why this 77-meter tower was more than a religious symbol—it was a statement of victory over the Almoravids and a prototype for the Giralda in Seville and the Hassan Tower in Rabat. Learn about the engineers, the use of rammed earth and baked brick, the intricate sebka pattern, and the legendary golden orbs said to be made from the melted bells of Santiago de Compostela. The episode also touches on the minaret's function as a visual anchor in the medina and its connection to the Almohad doctrine of tawhid. Lucas explains how the Koutoubia's design influenced later Islamic architecture across North Africa and Spain, and why it remains a defining landmark of Marrakech today. #KoutoubiaMinaret #Almohad #YaqubalMansur #Marrakech #SebkaPattern #Giralda #HassanTower #IslamicArchitecture #RammedEarth #Tawhid #SantiagoDeCompostela #NorthAfrica #12thCentury #MoroccoHistory #Almoravid #ArchitectureHistory #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo