imperial cities history
The imperial cities of Morocco hold a rich tapestry of history, each bearing witness to centuries of cultural and architectural splendor. These cities – Marrakech, Fez, Rabat, and Meknes – were once capitals of various dynasties and empires, leaving behind a legacy of grand palaces, intricate mosques, and bustling medinas.
Marrakech, known as the “Red City,” captivates visitors with its iconic Koutoubia Mosque, the vibrant Jemaa el-Fna square, and the exquisite Bahia Palace, reflecting the opulence of its past rulers.
Fez, the oldest of the imperial cities, boasts the world’s largest car-free urban area, the medina of Fes el-Bali, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its labyrinthine streets lead to hidden gems such as the Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and the historic tanneries, preserving centuries-old traditions.
Rabat, the present-day capital, offers a blend of ancient and modern attractions. Visitors can explore the well-preserved Kasbah of the Udayas, stroll along the elegant Andalusian Gardens, and admire the majestic Hassan Tower, a symbol of Almohad architecture.
Meknes, founded by Sultan Moulay Ismail in the 17th century, showcases his ambitious vision through landmarks like the monumental Bab Mansour gate, the intricately decorated Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, and the vast imperial stables.
Together, these imperial cities form a captivating narrative of Morocco’s illustrious past, inviting travelers to immerse themselves in the allure of history and culture that continues to thrive in the present day.
imperial cities history
Fez Medina
imperial cities history Start with Fez At Bab Bou Jeloud in the west is the main entrance to the old city, with two main streets descending into the medina’s heart. On your left as you enter is Talaa Kebira (Big Slope), with Talaa Seghira (Little Slope) on your right. Both converge near Place An Nejjarine, continuing to the Kairaouine Mosque and Zawiya Moulay Idriss II – the heart of the city. From here, it’s uphill to reach the northern gates of Bab Guissa and Bab Jamaï, or head south towards Bab R’cif. The R’cif area has undergone a big facelift with a smart new gate and refurbished square and the river has been upgraded. R’cif is likely to provide an alternate focus for the medina.
The major sights are really only a small part of the charm of the medina. It pays to do a little random exploration and simply follow your nose or ears to discover the most unexpected charms of Fez’ nature. Following your nose will lead you to women with bundles of freshly cut herbs, children carrying trays of loaves to be baked in the local bakery or a cafe selling glasses of spiced Berber coffee. Around the next corner you might find a beautifully tiled fountain, a workshop hammering copper pots, a camel’s head announcing a specialist butcher, or just a gang of kids turning their alley into a football pitch. Everywhere, listen out for the call to prayer or the mule driver’s cry‘balak!‘ (‘look out!’) to warn of the approach of a heavily laden pack animal.
Navigation can be confusing and getting lost at some stage is a certainty, but look at this as part of the adventure. A handy tip is to note the ‘main’ streets that eventually lead to a gate or landmark – just follow the general flow of people. Ask shopkeepers for directions, or you can fall back on the eager kids happy to rescue confused foreigners – though the remuneration they expect can be steep.
Meknes Medina
Meknes (French: Meknès; Berber: ⴰⵎⴽⵏⴰⵙ Ameknas; Spanish: Mequinez) is one of the four Imperial cities of Morocco, located in northern central Morocco and the sixth largest city by population in the kingdom. Founded in the 11th century by the Almoravids as a military settlement, Meknes became a capital under the reign of Sultan Moulay Ismaïl (1672–1727), the founder of the Alaouite dynasty. Sultan Moulay Ismaïl turned it into an impressive city in Spanish-Moorish style, surrounded by high walls with great doors, where the harmonious blending of the Islamic and European styles of the 17th century Maghreb are still evident today. The urban population is estimated at more than 650,000 with the metropolitan population close to 1,000,000. It is the seat of Meknès Prefecture and an important economic pole in the region of Fès-Meknès.
Rabat Medina
imperial cities history go to Rabat, Arabic Ribāṭ, city and capital of Morocco. One of the country’s four imperial cities, it is located on the Atlantic coast at the mouth of the Wadi Bou Regreg, opposite the city of Salé.
The history of Rabat is closely connected to that of Salé, the site of which was first occupied by the Roman settlement of Sala (Shella). During the 10th century, Salé was established by the Zanātah Imazighen (Berbers), who were Sunni Muslims, to house the nonconformist Barghawāṭah Imazighen.
Rabat itself was founded in the 12th century by ʿAbd al-Muʾmin, the first Almohad ruler, as a ribāṭ(fortified monastery) at which to quarter the troops for his jihad (holy war) in Spain. He later abandoned his efforts in Spain in order to concentrate his efforts on the conquest of North Africa. It was the third Almohad sultan, Abū Yūsuf Yaʿqūb al-Manṣūr, who named the place Ribāṭ al-Fatḥ (“Camp of Conquest”), from which the name of the present city is derived. He also erected the great fortified wall within which the modern town has developed, and he began construction of an enormous mosque, of which the notable Tower of Hassān, its half-completed minaret, remains. After 1609 the unified community of Rabat-Salé became the home of large numbers of Andalusian Moors who had been driven from Spain and, later, of the so-called Sallee Rovers, the most dreaded of the Barbary pirates (also known as corsairs). Under the French, Rabat was made the administrative capital, and, upon Moroccan independence, it was designated, together with Salé, an urban prefecture; it now embraces an area of 492 square miles (1,275 square km).
The old town, still surrounded by ramparts, lies near the coast. Within its fortifications are the medina (old Muslim town) and the millah (Jewish quarter). To the north, on a cliff above the Bou Regreg, stands the 17th-century fortress of Casbah des Oudaïa, with a splendid 12th-century Almohad gateway, an Andalusian garden, and an adjoining madrasah (religious college) that houses a museum of Moroccan art. Southeast of the old town are a number of outstanding historical structures, including the Tower of Hassān and the foundations of its never-completed mosque, across from which is located the mausoleum of Muḥammad V.
To the southwest of the old town are an archaeological museum and the city gate, Bab al-Rouah, also dating from the Almohad rule. The modern quarter of Rabat is partly enclosed by the fortified wall. Relatively modern structures, including a royal palace built in the 1950s, Muḥammad V University (founded 1957), the national library, and various administrative buildings, are located in the city’s southern outskirts. Various national embassies can be found throughout the modern city, and a number of international organizations have offices there.imperial cities history
history of Casablanca Medina
Hassan II Mosque
Completed in 1993 and located on a platform overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the iconic Hassan II Mosque is the second-largest mosque in the world, and one of few open to non-Muslims (through selected guided tour opportunities lasting around an hour each). The mosque, which can accommodate up to 25,000 worshipers, offers Muslims the chance to pray on a glass floor, giving the unique feeling of praying directly over the sea. Everyone is welcome to admire the beautiful piece of architecture at any time from the spacious courtyard, which alone can accommodate a further 80,000 people.
The Old Medina
Unlike in many Moroccan cities, the old part of town is surprisingly easy to pass by in Casablanca. There is the temptation to head straight out to the seaside to visit the Hassan II Mosque and beach area, however discovering the charm hidden behind the old city walls is a must on any trip to a Moroccan city. With its typical labyrinth style character, getting lost is undoubtedly easy, but with a bit of caution this can be a hidden beauty in itself. Indeed, it poses little risk as you’ll soon find yourself at one end or the other of the old quarters. Experiencing the pace of daily life, with children running in the narrow streets and men smoking in cafés, you can join the shoppers in their search for traditional treasures, and find the little sights buried in the medina, such as the Berber Mosque.
Museum of Moroccan Judaism
This unique museum, being the only Jewish museum in the Arab world, offers an insight into the history, religion, traditions and daily life of Jews in a Moroccan Civilisation. Presented through exhibition rooms containing paintings, ornaments, clothing etc, as well as complete displays of Moroccan synagogues, it demonstrates not only the Jewish influence on Moroccan society, but highlights the history of interfaith coexistence in Moroccan civilisation.
history of Marrakesh
Marrakech is The obvious sights – the square, the souks and the Koutoubia tower – many of the highlights are hidden away. These include the Saadian tombs, the mausoleum of 66 kings from the Saadian dynasty; the Koubba el Baadiyin, one of the oldest buildings in the city, which is believed to have covered the ablutions pool next to the mosque; and the magnificent Ibn Youssef Medersa, the largest in Morocco. The Bahia Palace was built in the Alhambran style by a slave who managed to become wealthy and powerful. Despite being empty of furniture, it is a wonderful example of 19th-century architecture on a grand scale, as is the nearby Dar El Said, a former palace that is now a museum.
Marrakesh is also famous for its gardens, the finest of which are the Jardins Majorelle, created by a French painter and now owned by Yves Saint-Laurent.
