Almohad Mosques in the Far Maghreb (529–593 AH / 1148–1195 CE): A Civilizational and Archaeological Study

This study examines the mosque architecture of the Almohad state in the Maghreb (present-day Morocco), exploring how their religious and political philosophies were reflected in an architectural style characterized by simplicity, austerity, and grandeur. The study highlights Almohad architecture, underscoring the characteristics and the architectural and aesthetic significance of their mosques—such as the Koutoubia Mosque minaret, the Tinmel Mosque, and the Hassan Mosque in Rabat. These structures are distinguished by a unique architectural style regarding height, construction materials, and vegetal ornamentation—elements that reflect the state's political and military might and prestige. Almohad mosques and minarets were influenced by Andalusian decorative styles, a result of recruiting renowned engineers and builders to participate in construction and the blending of Andalusian and Moroccan artistic traditions, alongside the role these structures played in the evolution of Islamic architecture in the Maghreb.