Bab Agnaou

Bab Agnaou

Bab Agnaou (Arabic باب اكناو) is one of the nineteen gates of Marrakech, Morocco. It was built in the 12th century in the time of the Almohad dynasty.

The name Agnaou, like Gnaoua, in Berber refers to black people (cf. Akal-n-iguinawen - land of the black). The gate was called Bab al Kohl (also referring to black people) or Bab al Qsar (palace gate) in some historical sources.

The function of the gate must have been representation, first of all. The corner-pieces are decorated with floral decorations extending around a shell. This ornamentation is framed by three panels and on these panels is an inscription from the Quran in Maghribi, foliated Kufic letters, which were also used in Al-Andalus. Bab Agnaou was renovated and its opening reduced in size, during sultan Mohammed ben Abdallah. Forerunners of this horseshoe-shaped gate with its corner-pieces, framed by inscriptions from the Quran can be found in the Mezquita in Cordoba. It shows many similarities to the contemporary (much simpler) Bab Er-Rouah in Rabat.

Bab Agnaou gives entrance to the royal kasbah in the southern part of the medina of Marrakech. The kasbah, built by the Almohad sultan Yaqub al-Mansour, is the site of El Mansouria (the kasbah mosque), the El Badi Palace and the Saadian Tombs.



External links

*Image of Bab Agnaou (click to enlarge): http://travel.webshots.com/photo/1382247923032656418XqZeDd
*With clear details (by Phil Douglis): http://www.pbase.com/image/72900080
*Close-up (by Phil Douglis): http://www.pbase.com/pnd1/image/72906446
*Bab Er-Rouah in Rabat (by Richard Ishida): [http://people.w3.org/rishida/photos/html/slides/0409-morocco-2_040926_170841+0_rabat.jpg.html]

ee also

*Koutoubia Mosque
*Menara gardens
*Hassan Tower
*Giralda

References

* Sanctuaires et fortresses almohades / H. Basset and Henri Terrasse, Collection "Hespéris" ; no 5, Paris, 1932


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Riad Bab Agnaou — (Марракеш,Марокко) Категория отеля: Адрес: 89 Derb Tabbal, Kasbah, Медина, 40000 Ма …   Каталог отелей

  • Bab (Gateway) — Bab is the Arabic word for Gateway, several Babs have been built throughout the time, such as the Babs of Cairo and those of Marrakech.Egypt*Bab El Fetouh *Al Bāb al Jadīd (the New Gate), built in 1170 in the eastern wall; still remains. *Bāb al… …   Wikipedia

  • Bab Agnou — Localisation Pays Maroc Ville Marrakech Coordonnées géographiques …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Bab er Robb — (Arabic باب الرب) (meaning Lord s gate ) is a southern gate exit to the city of Marrakech near Bab Agnaou. It leads to the roads that take you to the mountain towns of Amizmiz and Asni …   Wikipedia

  • List of places in Marrakech — A list of notable places in the city of Marrakech, Morocco.Religious Sites* Koutoubia Mosque * Ben Youssef Medrassa * Ben Youssef Mosque * * Mansouria Mosque * Mansouria Mosque * Barrima Mosque * Mouassine Mosque * Zaouia of Sidi Bel Abbes *… …   Wikipedia

  • Rabat — Cet article concerne la capitale du Maroc. Pour les autres significations, voir Rabat (homonymie). Rabat Rabat Salé Témara …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Capitale du Maroc — Rabat  Cet article concerne la capitale du Maroc. Pour les autres significations, voir Rabat (homonymie). Rabat …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Marakesch — Satellitenbild von Marrakesch Bab Agnaou, Stadttor, 1185/1190 …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Marrakech — Satellitenbild von Marrakesch Bab Agnaou, Stadttor, 1185/1190 …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Marrakesh — Satellitenbild von Marrakesch Bab Agnaou, Stadttor, 1185/1190 …   Deutsch Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”