The Almohad Rawda in Tinmal and the Qur’an from Seville donated by the Caliph al-Murtaḍā

Abstract

This paper attempts to recover the study of a funerary space of great significance for the Almohad period, the mausoleum of Ibn Tūmart in Tinmal, whose material knowledge remains hampered due to the loss of structures and the absence of archaeological activity. Therefore, it seeks to shed new light on the subject by contributing to the discussion of several aspects: its location with respect to the mosque, the gradual formation of a religious-funerary complex throughout the Almohad period, the establishment of a pilgrimage centre and the provision of manuscripts assigned to the mausoleum. To this end, some new fragments of written sources are provided, which until now had not been identified or translated, as well as the colophon and the endowment record of a Koran section donated by the caliph al-Murtaḍā are analysed. All of this has allowed us to continue characterizing this sacred and highly complex space that ended up constituting a model of dynastic sanctuary with great significance for the Islamic West.