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Rabat

Rabat city in Morocco

Rabat, imperial city, administrative capital, city of lights taking their sources from the past

Behind its status as the administrative capital of the kingdom, royal residence, and political and diplomatic ballet hides Rabat the sweet bathed in the lights of knowledge and culture. Its body refreshed in the waters of the river Bouregrag, and feet soaked in the waves of the Atlantic, Rabat seems young and modern, however it draws its identity from the background of history where its roots are nourished in the depths of the 12th century. In Rabat, as in many places in Morocco, we are simultaneously in history and modernity. We never tire of strolling through its large green spaces, parks, zoo, on the esplanade of the Hassan tower to rediscover the glorious history of Yacoub El Mansour, meditate on the graves of kings Mohamed V and Hassan II in the nearby mausoleum, cross the road and enter through the great gate the kasbah of Oudayas on the edge of the Bouregreg and rejoice eyes at the view of the fresh waters of the river mix with those salty of the nearby Atlantic Ocean.


Rich in an ancient architectural ensemble, Islamic, Hispanic, European, discover the historical riches around this city such as the archaeological city of Chellah and the nearby historic city of Salé (founded in the eleventh century) on the other side of the river Bouregreg, immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the old medina behind its ochre walls, and emerge from it by strolling along the modern avenues of the city center or Agdal.


Also city of knowledge, it has several universities, institutes, high schools and various educational centers, also welcoming students from foreign countries. During your stay, many monuments, museums, exhibition galleries, etc... await your visit to Rabat, now called the city of lights, a name that is associated with other titles of administrative capital and imperial city. 

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Accommodation and catering in Rabat:
In Rabat there is no lack or shortage of accommodation or catering, especially since this city very often hosts international football matches and other sporting and cultural events, and
Population, geographical location, climate:
A population of almost 2,000,000 live in Rabat and its agglomeration. Located 240 km south-west of the Strait of Gibraltar, Rabat is built on the banks of the river Bouregreg and the Atlantic Ocean. Its climate is warm and temperate, with an average

What to visit in Rabat:

The archaeological site of Chellah and its necropolis, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The archaeological site of Chellah and its necropolis, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Founded by the Phoenicians in the 8th century BC on a hill overlooking the Bouregreg as a trading post, it was then conquered by the Carthaginians; then taken by the Romans in 40 AD and renamed Sala Colonia. Abandoned in 1154 until the 14th century, a mosque and necropolis were built since by the Merinid sultan Abu Al Hassan which he protected behind a colossal wall. Today, among other remains, only the remains of the mosque and necropolis with the tombs of the Merinid sultan Abu Al Hassan, his wife Oum El Izz and some of his successors remain.
Kasbah of the Oudayas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Kasbah of the Oudayas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Military fortress built on the banks of the river Bouregreg, although initiated by the Almoravids to fight against the Berghouatas, it was really built around 1150, under the reign of the Almohads. It was called Ribat EL Fath (Victory Camp) where victories were commemorated, fighters for the faith gathered and trained before setting out to conquer other lands from Castile to Tripolitania, from Southern Europe to North Africa. Yacoub El Mansour fortified this Kasbah and surrounded it with two huge walls, 5 km long and pierced by five gates, at the same time he erected the Hassan tower.
Hassan Tower, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Hassan Tower, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Erected at the end of the 12th century (1196) by Yacoub El Mansour who sought to imitate the Kouloubia of Marrakech (1120) and the Giralda of Seville (1184). Its height is 44 meters, and its minaret was never built. Yacoub El Mansour died in 1199 without completing his work. The world’s largest mosque, the Hassan Tower, would not be completed. It also suffered major damage during the earthquake of 1755, as well as fires and looting.
The Mausoleum of Mohamed V, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site

The Mausoleum of Mohamed V, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Monument of great Moroccan architecture designed by the Vietnamese architect Eric Vo Toan. This building is dedicated to the late monarch Mohamed V. It is located on the esplanade of the Hassan tower. Construction began in 1961 and was completed in 1971. King Mohamed V, his sons, the late King and successor Hassan II, as well as the late Prince Moulay Abdellah are buried there.
Medina of Rabat

Medina of Rabat

The heart of the city, surrounded by walls, lively and colorful from morning to night, it is home to many commercial, craft, hotel and restaurant activities.
The Bab Rouah Gallery

The Bab Rouah Gallery

Monumental gate in the ramparts begun at the end of the 12th century by the Almohad caliph Yacoub El Mansour and completed in 1197. This name is attributed to the strong winds from the Atlantic to which it is exposed. It is 28 m long, 27 m deep and 12 m high. In 1960 this door was rehabilitated as an exhibition gallery. Renovated in 2001-2002, it reopened in April 2002.
Botanical Test Garden

Botanical Test Garden

Place of discovery and initiation to nature. It extends over 17 hectares, and located in the district of Agdal. A rare species of vegetation formed by more than 650 ornamental and fruit species from various origins and climates. This botanical garden is home to some of the biodiversity of our planet, revealing the richness of the plant world.
Zoological Garden

Zoological Garden

Zoology National Park. It offers a very attractive environment. It is formed of swamps, savannah, tropical forest, desert and the Atlas Mountains, with a diverse fauna. It is home to, among others, the lion of the Atlas among thirty breeds of lions.

Activities to do in Rabat

  • Imperial Cities Tour (Rabat, Meknes – Fes – Marrakech)
  • Private Casablanca Day Trip
  • Guided tour by a certified guide
  • Visit to Dar Salam Golf
  • Visit to the Mega Mall of Rabat, the largest in Africa
  • Excursion to the nearby city of Salé: name given by the Romans Sala Colonia. Founded in the 11th century by the Bani Achara.
  • Excursion to the Maamora forest
  • Excursion to the beaches of Sables d'or, Rosemarie, Club Nautique Plage de Rabat, Skhirat.
  • Other desired outings or destinations.

History

In Rabat, it is on the archaeological site of Chellah that we find the trace of man in the 8th century before Jesus Christ. But the history of Rabat begins in the era of the Almohads having been founded under their dynasty in the 12th century. They built a citadel, a mosque and a residence, all forming a ribat (fortress or camp) which later became the Kasbah of the Oudayas. This ribat gave the current name Rabat from Ribat Al Fath (victory camp) where the expeditions of fighters went on conquest.

Yakoub El Mansour later expanded the city by surrounding it with walls. He died in 1199. Around 1269 under the Merinid dynasty, Fez became capital again and Rabat’s decline was announced. Deserted by its inhabitants, it begins to repopulate in the early seventeenth century when thousands of expelled Moors from Andalusia settle there. During the protectorate era in 1912, France made Rabat the seat of the general residence and capital of the French protectorate, a title that it will keep from the independence of Morocco in 1956 until today.

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