Gallery
Description
Property Name: Qubba al Ba’adiyyin
Inventory No: 212-2-1
Date of infill of the inventory form: 2008-02-29
Country (State party): Morocco
Province: Marrakesh
Town:
Geographic coordinates: 31° 37′ 53.34″ N
7° 59′ 14.4″ W
Historic Period: 12th century, 1st half
Year of Construction: circa 1120
Style: Almovarid
Original Use: Religious
Current Use: Religious
Architect: Unknown
Significance
This rectangular kiosk was erected in 12th century, next to the Friday Mosque. The luxury of the stucco decoration is outstanding. The exterior of the dome has a chevron pattern above a frieze of interlaced arches. The walls are surmounted by serrated merlons and are pierced with lobed windows of different shapes. The interior of the dome is decorated with deeply carved flutings, the multi-lobed supporting arches have floral desings punctuated by shell motifs.
Selection Criteria
vi. to be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance
State of Preservation
It is the only surviving example of Almoravid architecture in Marrakesh. The edifice was built in 1117, and was later renovated in the 16th and 19th century. It was rediscovered in 1948 and excavated in 1952, after having been buried beneath one of the outbuildings of the Ben Youssef Mosque.
Open to visit.
References
Michell, George. Architecture of the Islamic World: Its History and Social Meaning. Thames and Hudson, London, 1978.