Mansourah, a city born from a siege
In 1299, the Marinid sultan Abu Yaqub Yusuf, ruler of Fez, laid siege to Tlemcen, capital of the Zayyanid kingdom. At first he simply set up camp on the plain west of the city. But the blockade dragged on: he built residences for himself and his commanders, then a great mosque completed around 1302, and finally, in 1303, a fortified wall.
The camp became a real city, with baths, caravanserais, palaces and markets. It was nicknamed al-Mahalla al-Mansura, "the victorious camp", which gave Mansourah its name. Meanwhile, encircled Tlemcen was starving: according to the historian Ibn Khaldun, the blockade was so tight that nothing could get into the city.
The end of the siege and the abandonment of the city
On 13 May 1307, Abu Yaqub Yusuf was assassinated by one of his servants. The siege was lifted, the Marinids returned to Fez, and the Zayyanids hurried to dismantle the city built to subdue them.
The story did not end there. In the 1330s, the Marinid sultan Abu al-Hasan returned to besiege Tlemcen, had the decoration of the Mansourah mosque gate completed around 1335, and finally captured the Zayyanid capital in 1337. After the Marinids left for good, Mansourah was abandoned and slowly fell into ruin.
What to see at Mansourah today
The 38-meter minaret
The centerpiece of the site, the square minaret of the great mosque rises to 38 meters. Only part of it survives, but its main façade, decorated with arches and carved motifs, is enough to grasp the ambition of the project. Art historians compare it to the Hassan Tower in Rabat and the Giralda in Seville, heirs to the same Almohad tradition.
The great mosque
At the foot of the minaret, you can make out the layout of the mosque: a prayer hall of about 60 by 55 meters, a central courtyard once graced by a fountain, and thirteen doors set in the walls. Onyx columns and decorative fragments are now kept in the Museum of Art and History in Tlemcen and the National Museum of Antiquities in Algiers.
The ramparts and towers
The rammed-earth wall ran for nearly 4 kilometers, about 12 meters high and 1.5 meters thick, punctuated by 80 towers. Only the northern and western sections remain, but they still clearly trace the outline of a city of around a hundred hectares.
Visiting Mansourah: practical information
- Access: 3 km west of central Tlemcen along national road 7, a 5-minute drive. From Zenata Airport, allow about 30 km and 35 minutes.
- Time needed: 45 minutes to 1 hour to walk around the minaret and along part of the ramparts.
- Best light: late afternoon, when the low sun brings out the ochre color of the walls.
- What to bring: comfortable shoes, water and a hat in summer, as the site offers little shade.
- Good to know: the remains are part of Tlemcen National Park. Stay in accessible areas and do not climb the walls.
Combining Mansourah with other visits
Mansourah pairs perfectly with the Lalla Setti plateau, 7 km away: visit the ruins around 4 pm, then head up to the plateau for sunset. With a full day, follow our Tlemcen in one day itinerary, which places Mansourah in the early afternoon before the El Ourit waterfalls.
Arriving by plane? With a rental car picked up at Tlemcen Airport, Mansourah can be your very first stop on the way into town. To discover the other Zayyanid and Marinid monuments, see our list of things to do in Tlemcen and our complete city guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who built Mansourah?
Mansourah was founded in 1299 by the Marinid sultan Abu Yaqub Yusuf, who was besieging Tlemcen. The military camp grew into a fortified city with a mosque, palaces and baths. Sultan Abu al-Hasan later reoccupied it during a second siege in the 1330s.
Why is Mansourah called "the Victorious"?
The name comes from the Arabic al-Mahalla al-Mansura, "the victorious camp", given to the Marinids' fortified camp during the siege of Tlemcen. Ironically, the first siege ended without victory after the sultan was assassinated in 1307.
How tall is the Mansourah minaret?
The Mansourah minaret is 38 meters tall. Part of the tower has collapsed, but the richly decorated main façade is still standing.
Where is Mansourah in relation to Tlemcen?
The ruins are about 3 km west of the city center, a 5-minute drive, and around thirty kilometers from Tlemcen Zenata Airport.
How long does it take to visit Mansourah?
Allow 45 minutes to 1 hour to see the minaret, the mosque and part of the ramparts. Plan more time if you want to photograph the site at sunset.
