Historic Sites

Visit Meknes : The Best Things to See and Do in Meknes

Meknes the land of history

Morocco is a land of hospitality. Land of varied landscapes, contrasting contours and lush nature, it offers its legendary generosity and authentic know-how. With typical assets and inexhaustible resources, the cities endorse different personalities, competing for charm and hospitality.

Strolling through the souks you will discover local products and unique handmade treasures. Morocco is pleasure in everyday life, a heady scent of orange blossom, eucalyptus and tamarisk.

Great ambassador of art, Morocco offers a lot of artistic events of all kinds, and numerous art galleries, cultural centers and spaces for unique artists.

Cradle of noble music, the Kingdom claims a musical legacy, the pride of its inhabitants (Andalusian music, Gnaoua, Amazigh, chaabi, malhoun, and many others …)

Bab Mansour el Aleuj

Meknes isn’t far from this, it is indeed the perfect incarnation of what we’ve had written before, it is
in fact one of Morocco’s imperial cities, it’s medina is listed as world heritage of humanity.

Embedded between the Atlantic plains and the Eastern highlands, between the northern Middle Atlas and the hills of the Rif Mountains, it unveils a harmonious splendor.

With its architectural heritage, it’s an enchantment for visitors: wide ramparts, impressive palaces, its mosques, madrasahs, gardens, pools and museums. You will never forget your visit inside its walls where are combined wellness in its purest form, smooth lifestyle and ancient grandeur.

Buildings that defy time :

The ramparts of the city covering nearly 40 km in length are pierced twenty fortified gates, towers and bastions. At first glance the medina appears as a strong fortress. Here, the gates are works of art and souks offer a scenic and unusual journey.

Medina of Meknes
  1. The Al-Hedim place, a vast esplanade is an essential thoroughfare to access the souks. At dusk, the square and its large market come to life to accommodate merchants, acrobats, storytellers and fire eaters. A popular and timeless atmosphere is renewed.
  2. On the edge of the Al-Hedim and the medina, the Dar Jamai Museum, in the Moorish style is now the Regional Museum of Ethnography, where gold threaded embroidery, pottery and antique jewelry recall the past splendors of the Kingdom.
  3. The Bou Inania madrasah is a masterpiece built according to traditional coranic school plans. The walls of the courtyard are covered with zelliges, chiseled stucco, and beautiful cedar wood carvings, offering a wonderful example of Moorish decor.
  4. The fabulous Hri Souani dates from the time of Moulay Ismail. With huge proportion, it consists of 23 naves supported by pillars and arches it served as a granary back in time. This place was used in many international films: such as “the last temptation of Christ” and “jesus of Nazareth”.
  5. The Moulay Ismail mausoleum, built in 1703, is one of the few religious buildings open to non-Muslims. The mausoleum is accessed by The entrance door that is very ornate, surmounted by green tiles, the lower walls are covered with mosaics. Marble basin in the middle of a 9.88m by 10m side yard, The patio of the funeral complex is beautifully decorated, from floor to ceiling. in the middle stands a small marble basin.

The white marble tomb of de Moulay Ismaël is in the last room, the other two tombs are those of his son and successor Moulay Ahmed Ad-Dahabi and of Sultan Moulay Abderrahman Ibn Hicham. There is also the tomb of his first wife Lalla Khanta, on the right. The clocks given by Louis XIV to Moulay Ismail, for his refusal to grant the hand of the future Princess of Conti, are at the back of each side of the room.

Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail

The little treasures of Meknes :

With more than 50,000 artisans, Meknes and its region perpetuate ancestral knowledge in the art of wood carving and painting, weaving (carpets, hanbel, embroidery ..), wrought ironing or inlaying, leather (leather goods, binders and slippers).

Ecotourism destination per se, the resources of Meknes region are infinite. It is “Morocco’s water reserve as well as a forest, pastoral and agricultural land. A land with limitless resources, famous for its olive oil, its date palm culture, horse farming, trout farming… Etc.

Read also : Visit Essaouira (This is Why You Should Visit Essaouira Immediately)

Around Meknes :

About twenty miles north of Meknes, built on the rocky outcrop overlooking the valley of Oued Erroumane, the quiet town of Moulay Idriss houses the mausoleum of the founder of the Idrissides dynasty.

  • Volubilis, another key city in the region, was listed World Heritage by UNESCO in 1997.

Volubilis is the largest archaeological site in Morocco and is renowned for the many mosaics decorating the antique buildings. Going up towards the Middle Atlas, you will see along the road, huge cedar forests land, dotted with green valleys, lakes and springs.

 Volubilis
Volubilis
  • Plenty of options for hiking, horse riding, trekking, mountain biking, fishing. At the heart of the mountains flows the longest river in Morocco, Oum Er-Rbia, rising 40 km from Khenifra.
  • Ifrane, nicknamed Morocco’s Switzerland is a charming traditional province at 1650 m. Displaying an urban character reminiscent of the alpine resorts with stone chalets and red tile roofs, it has a delightfully quiet and discreet atmosphere.

The mountain tops are often snowy in winter and the landscapes are pastoral. Skiers should not miss the slopes of nearby stations, Michlifen (2036m) and Jbel Heb (2104m).

Meknes Imperial, eternal city, offers you the experience of a timeless stay, at the frontiers between the history and present times.


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