Hassan Tower

The Hassan Tower is the incomplete minaret of a mosque that was intended to be the largest in the world when construction began in 1195 under the Almohad Caliph Yacoub al-Mansour. Standing at 44 meters, approximately half its intended height, the tower remains one of the most iconic symbols of Rabat and a masterpiece of Almohad architecture. The same ruler also commissioned the Koutoubia in Marrakech and the Giralda in Seville, and the Hassan Tower shares their distinctive red sandstone construction and geometric decorative motifs.

When al-Mansour died in 1199, construction ceased, and the mosque was never completed. The 1755 Lisbon earthquake further destroyed much of what remained, leaving behind the tower and a field of 200 columns that mark where the massive prayer hall once stood. These weathered stone columns, arranged in perfect rows across the stone platform, create a haunting and photogenic landscape that speaks to the ambition and impermanence of human endeavor.

Adjacent to the tower sits the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, a stunning 20th-century monument in white marble and green tile that houses the tombs of King Mohammed V and his two sons, King Hassan II and Prince Abdallah. The mausoleum's interior is lavishly decorated with zellige tilework, carved marble, and a magnificent chandelier, and royal guards in traditional dress stand at the entrance. The contrast between the unfinished medieval tower and the immaculate modern mausoleum creates a fascinating architectural dialogue.

The esplanade surrounding the tower and mausoleum is one of Rabat's most important public spaces, used for official ceremonies and daily leisure. The elevated position offers views across the Bou Regreg River to the Sale medina, and the entire complex is beautifully illuminated at night. The site is free to enter and is one of the most visited monuments in Morocco.