A minaret is a tall, slender tower that rises from a mosque, which is a building where Muslims gather to pray. You can spot minarets from far away because they often reach high into the sky, sometimes with a pointed top or a small dome. They're designed to be visible landmarks in a city's skyline.

Traditionally, a person called a muezzin would climb to the top of the minaret five times each day to call Muslims to prayer. Their voice would carry across the neighborhood, reminding people it was time to pause their daily activities and pray. Today, most mosques use loudspeakers instead, but the minaret remains an important part of mosque architecture.

Minarets come in many different styles depending on where they're built. In Morocco, they might be square and decorated with intricate tile patterns. In Turkey, they're often tall and pencil-thin. In Egypt and the Middle East, they might have a large balcony partway up where the muezzin once stood. Some famous mosques have multiple minarets: the Blue Mosque in Istanbul has six, creating a dramatic silhouette against the sky. While their practical purpose has changed, minarets remain powerful symbols of Islamic faith and architectural beauty.