Mansourah Mosque

Tlemcen, Algeria

The ruins of a massive mosque built by the Marinid sultan during his siege of Tlemcen, featuring a 38-meter minaret. The mosque was never finished but its ruins remain an impressive testament to Marinid ambition.

Historical Context

The Marinids besieged Tlemcen for eight years (1299–1307), building a complete new city, Mansourah, outside its walls. The mosque was designed to be larger than any in Tlemcen, as a statement of Marinid superiority.