Author
The landmark owes its name, based on accounts of informants, to a Christian architect who converted to Islam (Al-Alaj), and it is likely that Spain chose the name Al-Mansur. The work was supervised by Commander Al-Jilali.
Author Original
تدين المعلمة باسمها، اعتمادا على روايات الإخباريين، لمعماري مسيحي أسلم العلج، ويرجح أن يكون إسبانيا اختار اسم المنصور؛ وقد أشرف على الأعمال القائد الجيلالي
Publication Date
11th-12th century AH / 17th-18th century AD
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Library
Museum With No Frontiers
Record ID
monument;ISL;ma;Mon01;29;ar
Library Location
Meknes, Morocco
Date
11th-12th century AH / 17th-18th century AD
Notes
Sultan Mawla Ismail decided to make the city of Meknes the capital of his kingdom. Throughout his 45-year rule, he devoted himself to building 40 kilometers of defensive towers, huge walls and doors, grain stores, large stables, gardens and vast bodies of water. Bab Mansour Al-Alj, which was one of the last achievements of Sultan Mawla Ismail, remains the most famous of the 20 doors that led to the royal city. Its architecture is reminiscent of Andalusia, and is distinguished from the doors of the country by its innovative plan, the breadth of its structures and architectural elements, the diversity of its materials, and the density and abundance of its decorations. The Mansour Gate, whose total height reaches approximately 16 metres, stands over a wide area and overlooks Al-Hadim Square. The external façade of this very complex group consists of a central opening made up of a slightly exceeding semicircular arch, reaching a height of 8 metres. It is fortified by two defensive square towers, which open to two outer galleries (short, columnless compartments), which are also surrounded by two more narrow recesses in the wall, containing two high columns of white marble, which are most likely brought from the Roman ruins of the city of Volubilis, while their bodies and composite capitals, which rest on bases of local stone, may have originated in Italy. The door is decorated with a dense decoration of tile, gypsum, and marble, which are materials All of them are decorated with geometric elements (lozenges, floral braids) or floral elements (twigs, floral patterns) and inscriptions in large black cursive letters. The top of the door was decorated with a group of serrated merlons, while the inner facade of the door was devoid of decorative elements and consisted of an arch in the shape of a slightly broken horseshoe, surrounded by a simple rectangle. The Mansour Al-Alaj Gate carried out several tasks. He hosted the court of the Pasha of Medina, where he held his meetings to resolve disputes, and he went there after Friday prayers to have lunch with his military commanders. Religious celebrations (popular seasons) and military celebrations were also organized in front of the door, a custom that has been maintained until the present day.
Sample Text
Mohamed Mezzine “Bab Mansour” in Discover Islamic Art. Museum Without Borders, 2026. 2026. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=monument;ISL;ma;Mon01;29;ar
