Hassan Tower
Rabat-Salé-Kénitra
Hassan Tower is the minaret of an incomplete mosque in Rabat, Morocco, commissioned by Abu Yusuf Yaqub al-Mansur, the third caliph of the Almohad Caliphate, in the late 12th century. Intended to be the largest minaret in the world, the tower was left unfinished at 44 meters after al-Mansur's death in 1199, alongside the mosque which was never completed beyond its foundational walls and 348 columns. The mosque was designed to be the largest in the western Muslim world, surpassing even the Great Mosque of Cordoba. The tower’s design was influenced by the Giralda of Seville and the Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakesh, as well as the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria, evident in its ramped ascent. Situated strategically on the south bank of the Bu Regreg river, the mosque likely served both religious and military purposes, accommodating Almohad troops. The site also includes the modern Mausoleum of Mohammed V, built in the 20th century, forming a significant historical and tourist complex in Rabat. Hassan Tower remains a striking symbol of Almohad architectural vision and Moroccan heritage.
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Astuce: The best time to visit Hassan Tower is during the cooler months of spring and autumn to avoid the intense Moroccan summer heat. Visitors are advised to purchase tickets in advance during peak tourist seasons to avoid queues. The site is accessible daily with reasonable opening hours, and discounts may be available for students and groups. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended as the site covers a large area with ruins and the mausoleum nearby.
Faits intéressants
- •Hassan Tower was designed to be the tallest minaret in the world but was left incomplete at 44 meters.
- •The mosque planned alongside the tower would have been larger than the Great Mosque of Cordoba if finished.
- •The tower’s ramped ascent was inspired by the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria.
- •Materials from the mosque ruins were repurposed for other constructions after abandonment.
- •The site was damaged by the 1755 Lisbon earthquake but later excavated and restored in the 20th century.
Histoire
Construction of Hassan Tower and its mosque began in 1191 under Almohad ruler Abu Yusuf Yaqub al-Mansur, who envisioned a new imperial capital at Rabat named al-Mahdiyya or Ribat al-Fath.
The tower was meant to be the tallest minaret globally, part of a mosque that would be the largest in the western Muslim world.
The project halted abruptly after al-Mansur's death in 1199, leaving the tower incomplete at 44 meters and the mosque unfinished with only initial walls and columns.
Over centuries, the site suffered damage, including from the 1755 Lisbon earthquake.
In the 20th century, French and Moroccan archaeologists excavated and partially restored the ruins, and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V was added in the 1960s.
In 2012, the site was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site as part of historic Rabat.
Guide du lieu
Hassan TowerLate 12th century
The unfinished minaret standing at 44 meters tall, showcasing Almohad architectural style influenced by the Giralda of Seville and the Koutoubia Mosque. It features a ramped interior originally intended for the muezzin to ascend.
Ruins of the Great MosqueLate 12th century
Foundations and partial walls of the mosque that was intended to be the largest in the western Muslim world, with 348 columns marking its vast scale. The mosque's footprint measures approximately 183 by 139 meters.
Mausoleum of Mohammed V1971
A modern mausoleum built in the 1960s at the southeastern corner of the mosque ruins, housing the tombs of King Mohammed V and his sons. Designed by Vietnamese architect Cong Vo Toan, it blends traditional Moroccan design with modern elements.