As we enter Marrakech through the Bab Aguenaou gate, we come to one of the city's biggest mosques, called the Yaqub al Mansur mosque after the sultan of the same name who built it. It was finished in 1190.

What is a mosque? A mosque is the place of worship in the religion of Islam. It is essentially a prayer hall, where people come to pray at five appointed times during the day: just before dawn, miDDay, afternoon, before sunset, and night. Prayer is an obligation of every Muslim, but as in any religion, some moments of prayer are more important than others and some people are more observant than others. The most important prayer is that of Friday noon, for which many if not most people will go to the mosque for prayer services which include a sermon by a religious authority. Most of the space of a mosque is simply an open prayer hall, with a niche in the wall (mihrab) indicating the direction of prayer, which is facing Mecca, 2500 miles away near the Red Sea coast in Arabia. A stepped platform for the preacher will also be found in the front of the prayer hall, which is covered with mats and rugs. Mecca's importance lies in the fact that it was the birthplace of the Prophet Mohammed in 570 A.D., was the early capital of Islam, and remains the central focus of the religion.

How does Mecca play a role in the act of prayer?

An essential element in the structure of a mosque is the tower from which prayer is announced at the appointed times. The tower, called a minaret, is prominent here. It is typically Moroccan in that it is square and covered with tiles and little crenellations called merlons in architectual jargon.

Five times a day, a man whose duty it is to call people's attention to the fact that it is time for prayer will climb the stairs to the top of the tower and chant to the population below. If it is nighttime, a light will also go on. "It is time for prayer! Come and pray! God is Great!" This is the job of the muezzin, or caller.

-Explain why mosques need tall towers.

Another aspect of everyday life in Marrakech evident here are the horse-drawn carriages that are a prominent part of the local transportation system. Called "coaches" in local dialect, you hire them just like a taxi. They fit in well to the structure of the city, getting places that cars and busses cannot go.

-Why are coaches well adapted to Marrakech's spatial organization?