Mosquée Assounna (Assouna Mosque), Rabat

The Assouna Mosque (or As-Sunna Mosque) stands as one of the largest and most historically significant mosques in Rabat. Built by the 'Alawi sultan Moulay Mohammed ben Abdallah in 1785, the mosque was constructed during a brief period when Rabat served as his royal capital. Though nearly rebuilt in the 19th century, it underwent a major renovation in 1969 to mark the 40th birthday of King Hassan II. This renovation notably included the relocation of its minaret, which was meticulously dismantled and reconstructed "stone by stone" at the southwest corner to enhance its visual alignment along Avenue Mohammed V.

The mosque occupies a prominent position on Avenue Mohammed V, with the Royal Palace just to its west and south. Covering 5,565 square meters, it is the fourth-largest historic mosque in Morocco. Its layout follows the traditional Moroccan architectural style, with a large central courtyard bordered by galleries and a prayer hall consisting of three transverse aisles parallel to the qibla wall. Notably, two ornamental pavilions flank the courtyard, a design reminiscent of the al-Qarawiyyin Mosque in Fez.

Inside, the mosque features elaborate Moroccan craftsmanship, from finely carved wood to intricate geometric motifs. The minaret, adorned with traditional decorative elements, stands as a striking architectural feature at the mosque’s southwestern edge. The mosque’s multiple grand gateways further highlight its majestic presence in Rabat’s cityscape.