AtlasIslamica
Madrasa

Ben Youssef Madrasa

Constructed during the 16th century and served as an Islamic school, Ben Youssef Madrasa has wonderful architectural style, showcasing the living of the students of school in older days in the heart of Marrakesh

Marrakesh, Morocco

Coordinates: 31.631988, -7.986611

The Ben Youssef Madrasa is an Islamic madrasa (college) in Marrakesh, Morocco.

Functioning today as a historical site, the Ben Youssef Madrasa was the largest Islamic college in Morocco at its height.

The madrasa is named after the adjacent Ben Youssef Mosque founded by the Almoravid Sultan Ali ibn Yusuf (reigned 1106-1142).

The madrasa is named after the adjacent Ben Youssef Mosque, which was originally the main mosque of the city, founded by the Almoravid Sultan Ali ibn Yusuf.

Historically, madrasas have served as a center for learning, worship and community interaction.

In addition to teaching Quranic Tasfeer and Islamic jurisprudence, Islamic schools often taught a wide variety of subjects, including literature, science and history.

The Ben Youssef Madrasa, in fulfilling these functions, was also one of the largest theological colleges in North Africa, reportedly able to accommodate upwards of 800 students.

Closed down in 1960, the building was refurbished and reopened to the public as a historical site in 1982.

The Ben Youssef Madrasa currently attracts thousands of tourists every year and remains one of the most important historical buildings in Marrakesh.

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