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Ali Bin Yousuf Madrassa courtyard is a real pearl of Islamic architecture. Once a well known Islamic college in Marrakech it was named after Sultan Ali Bin Yousuf (reined 1106–1142), who contributed greatly towards the growth and expansion of the city. The Ali Ben Youssef Madrassa (the largest in Morocco), was established during the period of the Merinid (14th century) by the Merinid sultan Abu al-Hassan. The Ali Ben Youssef Madrasa, Marrakech was reconstructed by the Saadian Sultan Abdallah al-Ghalib. Ali Ben Youssef Madrasa, Marrakech has got 130 student dormitory cells which flock around a courtyard richly carved in cedar, marble and stucco. The carvings contain no representation of humans or animals as required by Islam, and consists completely of inscriptions and geometric designs. This madrassa was one of the largest theological colleges in North Africa and may have housed as many as 900 students. One of its best known teachers was Mohammed El Ifrani (1670-1745). Closed down in 1960, the building was renovated and reopened to the public as an historical site in 1982.