Grand Mosque of Chefchaouen

The Grand Mosque of Chefchaouen faces Place Uta el-Hammam in the medina of this Rif mountain town in northern Morocco, directly beside the kasbah. It was built in the late 15th century, soon after Moulay Ali ben Rachid el-Alami founded the town in 1471, and it was later expanded as the settlement grew with Andalusian refugees. Its most unusual feature is the octagonal minaret, which differs from the square minarets common elsewhere in Morocco and is often compared with Spanish towers, reflecting the Andalusian cultural influence on the town. The mosque has a plain, whitewashed exterior with tiled accents, a prayer hall with rows of arches and a wooden ceiling, and an ablution area. It sits within a square lined with cafes and restaurants, where residents gather and visitors take in the atmosphere. Non-Muslims are not permitted to enter, so the experience is limited to the exterior and the minaret from the plaza. The mosque is maintained by the religious endowments authority and remains in daily use, with repairs to the roof, tilework and minaret carried out over time. Its condition is good. The building's position next to the kasbah and the medina's main gate makes it an easy stop on a walk through the old town. Visitors should dress modestly, avoid blocking worshippers, and refrain from photographing people at prayer. The mosque is a quiet counterpoint to the colourful lanes of the blue-washed quarter, and it shows the religious foundation of the town's early community.