Rabat, Morocco - Hassan Tower

Hassan Tower or Tour Hassan is the minaret of an incomplete mosque in Rabat, Morocco. Begun in 1195, the tower was intended to be the largest minaret in the world along with the mosque, also intended to be the world's largest. In 1199, Sultan Yacub al-Mansour died and construction on the mosque stopped. Tradition says that Hassan Tower was commissioned by Yacoub EL Mansour and designed by an architect named, Jabir, who modeled it on the minaret of Koutoubia that he had designed earlier. The tower reached 44 m (140 ft), about half of its intended 86 m (260 ft) height. The rest of the mosque was also left incomplete, with only the beginnings of several walls and 200 columns being constructed. The mosque was considered the cornerstone for establishing a new Muslim city.The mosque was not only a place of worship, but also a learning sanctuary and meeting venue.

Interesting facts about the Hassan Tower:

•  From the inside, the tower is ascended by ramps instead of stairs, which mirrors the architectural genius of the minaret. 
• The Hassan Tower is now one of the most prestigious historical monuments in Morocco. The eight-century old tower, adorned by charming gardens around it, was listed in 1995 as a world heritage by the UNESCO.
•  They also manifest the great architectural and mathematical knowledge of the time, and the advanced building know-how of that era, when cities in Morocco and Muslim Spain where a showcase for civilized taste, culture and learning.