The Koutoubia is a masterpiece of Almohad art whose emblematic minaret is topped by a superb 70m-high square tower, an exemplary illustration of Hispano-Moorish art. The first sanctuary was built under the reign of Abd el-Moumen, but was destroyed due to its imperfect alignment with Mecca (traces of this edifice can still be seen). The Koutoubia acquired its current look under the reign of Yacoub el-Mansour, at a time when booksellers hawked their clients here, thus its name (mosque of booksellers). Entry is forbidden to non-Muslims.