Meknes city in Morocco
Ismaili capital classified since 1996 on the world heritage list, Meknes contains inestimable architectural treasures built during its glory days, under the reign of Sultan Moulay Ismail of the Alaouite lineage; and which sultan holds the record for longevity as a monarch by reigning over Morocco for 55 years, from 1672 to 1727.
Many historical monuments have preserved their former splendour: the Medina, the Kasbah, the gigantic ramparts with famous doors, the beautiful mosques, the Ksar Mansour palace, the mausoleum Moulay Ismail, Medersa, Agdal Basin, the royal stables, the Dar Jamai museum, the infamous underground prison of Kara, the Hedim square, the royal granaries, the vast gardens,... and a few kilometers north of Meknes the remains of Volubilis where began the history of modern Morocco in 789 by its founder Moulay Idriss I whose sanctuary is located at Moulay Idriss Zerhoun, less than ten kilometers from Volubilis.
Meknes is also known for its great culinary art, artisanal production, and its varied cultural repertoire of poetry, religious music and other music with an Andalusian and Berber character.
During the protectorate, the French baptized it of «The little Paris» or «Versailles of Morocco»
Meknes, like the other three imperial cities of Morocco, through its monuments and historical sites, testifies to its greatness in past centuries and is really worth a visit.
Attracted by the fertility of the land and the abundance of waters, Meknes was founded in the 10th century by the Zénete Meknassa tribe, a powerful Berber tribe that dominated eastern Morocco. It was named Meknessa Ez Zeitoun. In the eleventh century, the Almoravids made it a military establishment. However, the name of Meknes, the Ismaili capital, never detached itself from the reign of Moulay Ismail. Indeed, between 1672 and 1727, its founder Moulay Ismail made it his capital, having deposed this title Marrakech capital during the reign of the Saadians. The sultan took great care to develop his city, making it an architectural jewel in the Hispanic- Moorish style. Under his reign Meknes is an impressive rich and prosperous city surrounded by high walls over a length of 45 km and reaching up to 15 meters in height pierced by nine monumental gates.
