Marrakech Mosque (Koutoubia)

We were up just after 6am to get the 10.15am flight from Marrakech to Stanstead. Arriving at Menara airport (Marrakech) early, it was a nightmare checking in, and going through passport control, that we went straight to the boarding gate. At least we landed in London on time - no delays with fog!

The blip picture is one of my favourites of the four days that I've just edited, and not to break the spirit of blip, the extra is from today just as we landed.

The blip picture is of the main mosque just outside the Old Town. There are many mosques but this is the biggest in Marrakech. Koutoubia Mosque is also known by several other names, such as Jami’ al-Kutubiyah, Kotoubia Mosque, Kutubiya Mosque, Kutubiyyin Mosque, and Mosque of the Booksellers. It is located in the southwest medina quarter of Marrakech.

The mosque is ornamented with curved windows, a band of ceramic inlay, pointed merlons, and decorative arches; it has a large plaza with gardens, and is floodlit at night. The minaret, 253 ft in height, includes a spire and orbs. It was completed under the reign of the Almohad Caliph Yaqub al-Mansur (1184 to 1199), and has inspired other buildings such as the Giralda of Seville and the Hassan Tower of Rabat.