Kairaouine Mosque (Mosque of al Qarawiyyin) Fez

The Kairaouine Mosque (Mosque of al-Qarawiyyin) is the largest in Africa and it also serves as a university, which again is one of the oldest universities in the world. The mosque was founded in the 9th century by Fatima who was the daughter of a wealthy immigrant. The mosque surrounded by Madrassas and this made a major intellectual center during the medieval centers.

Address: Fez el Bali, Qayruwan quarters.

Features of the Kairaouine Mosque (Mosque of al-Qarawiyyin), Fez:

  -   The design of the mosque is very simple but it does have beautiful wooden carvings and paintings. There are also ornate niches and pulpits.

  -   It was one of the most important mosques in Fez and there was a time when the other mosques set their calls of prayer only after they heard from the Kairaouine Mosque (Mosque of al-Qarawiyyin).

  -   It is a huge mosque and can accommodate more than 20,000 worshippers.

  -   Originally the mosque was almost 30 meters long. It was renovated and expanded in the 10th century and the minaret was relocated.

  -   During the 12th century, the mosque was expanded to cover an area of 30000 square meters.

  -   The final work of expansion done on it was in the 17yh century when Saadis added two more patios to the northern and southern end of the courtyard.