Meknes, Imperial city in Morocco

Meknes is set in a pre-eminently favourable geographic position: at the cross-roads of the majestic Middle Atlas mountain chain. Since its foundation in the Xth century by Zenete tribes from Meknassa which had come from the East to settle on the banks of Oued Boufekrane, Meknes has never ceased to attract and captivate all those who com to visit. However, it did not reach the peak of its glory until fairly late in 1672. when Moulay Ismaël mad it his capital. Indeed Moulay Ismail » was the first monarch who considerable achievement reverberated as far as the East and to Europe. especially to the French. Court of Louis XIV, the Sun King. much so that Moulay Ismaël is automatically associated with Meknes.It was thanks to Alaouite kings in general and Moulay Ismaël in particular, that Meknes developed in such brilliant way. You only need to visit Meknes to see that this town h remained a tapestry of all that noble, scenic and colourful in t country : the varied beauty of many sites, its rare relies and imposing monuments. There is lack of examples : the circle of ramparts. the famous Bab Mansour gateway. The royal palace, the Berima and Sidi Othmane mosques. the vast ancient stables or even Bab Berdeaine. the fine XVll th century gate. the Jemâa El Rouah Mede after a visit to the mosque of Sidi Saïd, before reaching Bab El Khemis. One of the most admirable testimonies is without a doubt the Heri. This is a famous and huge XVll th century granary : from its terrace a fabulous garden dominates the town, with a view over the Aqdal ornamental lake, a vast stretch of water four hundred metres long and a hundred metres wide.
Other points of interest to remember are the Lalla Aouda Square, the El Hédime Square, the Jamaï palace which has been turned into a museum of Moroccan arts; and of course the inevitable medina, the old town, the Old Meknes, where lies the most ancient mosque in Meknès which, like the town itself,dates back to the Xth century. The carpet-auction souk, « Souk Ed Dlala », the Bouinania Medersa, a XIVth century theological institution, the Jemâa El Kebir Mosque which has more than twelve entrances and tinatly, another Medersa, not far from the xissarta. the Filala, built in 1689 by Moulay Ismaël …

It is in the Kissaria or Souk,just as in all Moroccan towns, that you find the craftsmen : the caftan ¬makers. the workers of mosaïc, the « Kharrazines » (makers of Moroccan slippers and ether leather-goods).

There is also a lot to be seen on the outskirts of Meknes : legendary sites, splendid landscapes, fascinating places such as Moulay Idriss Zerhoun and the nearby ruins of the Roman town of Volubilis ; Azrou surrounded by majestic forests of cedars and green oaks : Ifrane, Morocco’S answer to Chamonix, with its red-tiled nouses. its green meadows, healthy invigorating climate, its resort at Mount Michlifen ; the district towards Midelt, Ifran even Immouzzer. On the road to Rabat, there are also two fine lakes Rabat is the next imperial city after Meknes : a city with deep roots and charm both arresting and discreet. Meknes has known its hour, indeed its centuries of glory and remains one of the principal towns in the Kingdom.