In the heart of the city of Figuig stands the stone minaret, towering with its height and unique architecture, which reflects the genius of ancient engineers, in a living scene of the cultural identity and ancient heritage that characterizes the region.
This minaret, built in the Ksar of Oudaghir with local stone that gives it an authentic and majestic appearance, according to a design that reflects the simplicity and durability of construction, is considered one of the most prominent historical and architectural landmarks in the Oriental region, and a symbol of cultural identity and architectural heritage in the province, and a masterpiece that highlights the human ability to adapt and create in his environment.
This archaeological monument, which is about 19 meters high, consists of a solid square base that gradually turns into an octagonal shape at the height, forming a towering tower that catches the eye from long distances, in a unique geometric design that shows the beauty of Islamic architecture.
The sides of the stone minaret, which was built in the fifth century AH (eleventh century AD), are decorated with simple inscriptions and geometric decorations in harmony with the local urban character, while its small openings show a harmonious distribution of light and air, which gives the person entering it a feeling of calm and tranquility, and gives it a unique practical and architectural character.
The minaret enjoys deep religious and spiritual symbolism among the residents of the region, as it was closely linked to their daily lives, and was a beacon for remembrance, a place for prayer and celebration of religious occasions, and played a prominent role in preserving Islamic teachings; which makes it an essential part of the collective memory of the residents of Figuig who appreciate its civilizational and religious value.
The importance of the minaret also goes back to the fact that it was used as a watchtower to protect the city from invaders, which makes it a living witness to the ancient history of the region, and a landmark that embodies the spirit of Islamic civilization and its development.
The member of the Figuig Association for Heritage and Oasis Culture, Tayeb Jabri, highlighted in a press statement that the stone minaret is considered one of the oldest historical monuments located in the Figuig region, confirming that the date of its establishment goes back to the year 542 AH.
The speaker explained that the minaret was built in two stages, the first extending to the year 613 AH, where it was built in a square shape with a height reaching 5 meters, and the second after 70 years, where the Sharifs of Oudaghir ordered its completion to take a semi-circular geometric shape reaching a height of 19 meters, pointing out that this minaret differs from the rest of the minarets in the Kingdom, as it was built entirely of stone, mud, and lime.
Tayeb Jabri pointed out that Figuig is characterized by the diversity of types of buildings, as it has mosque architecture, Zawiyas, shrines, and underground baths, in addition to military architecture that appears in towers and walls to protect the region's Ksars, and added that most of the structures in the Figuig region were created using a unique mud that the region is characterized by, in addition to the use of stone and lime. Oleander branches and palm wood were also used in building ceilings and windows.
The speaker drew attention to the fact that Figuig is characterized by its diverse alleys, as you find through alleys, dead-end alleys, open ones, and covered ones, where each alley had a specific role, and the houses, which can consist of floors reaching up to three, have independent rooms with special doors to receive guests, and others designated for storage, and he also explained that the region is characterized by water architecture, as it has about 36 water springs, and a number of underground baths, the most important of which is "Tit N'Hafsa" in the Ksar of Oudaghir, which was built in the Merinid era during the seventh century AH, and the Upper Bath (Tajmalt), which is one of the oldest of these baths.
Jabri highlighted that these water facilities have a special role, due to their presence near mosques for bathing and ablution, and they were like public laundries frequented by women to wash clothes, in addition to their cultural symbolism where it was customary for grooms to bathe in these baths before the wedding date, seeking blessings, a custom that is still continuing in some Ksars, and he stressed the need to take care of the region's heritage, especially since a number of monuments are exposed to cracking, pointing in this context to the Lower Bath Mosque, which is considered one of the oldest mosques in the region, as its age exceeds 9 centuries, and contains very important traditional Islamic architecture, has become threatened with collapse.
For his part, Ezzedine Ben Abdelhaq, one of the residents of the Ksar of Oudaghir, pointed out that the residents worked to provide the necessary means for the mosque, and meet the needs of its annexes, by allocating endowments (Habous) from which the salary of the Imam and the Muezzin is paid, and others allocated to students of knowledge, and meeting the needs of travelers, in addition to other voluntary endowments.
The stone minaret in Figuig remains, with what it represents of beauty and human depth, and what it carries of spiritual values and historical symbolism, a witness to the history and civilization of the region, and a civilizational legacy that requires preservation as a prominent station for researchers and visitors interested in discovering the jewels of history and authentic Moroccan architecture.
The post The stone minaret in Figuig .. unique architecture for ancient heritage appeared first on Hespress - Hespress Moroccan electronic newspaper.
