Reasons to Visit Meknes
Meknes is one of the fourth imperial cities of Morocco and was founded in the 10th century. Its name derives from the founding tribe “Zenete Meknassa,” which means warrior.
History
In the 11th and 12th centuries the city was fortified by two different tribes which started to build important mosques, hammams (Moorish baths), and kasbahs. In the 13th century, lots of monuments were built by Abou Youssef and Abou El Hassan. This dynasty made Meknes a real North African city with a Spanish touch.
After this period the city began to lose its importance until the end of the 17th century and the advent of the second sultan “Alaouite,” when the city became the first of the imperial cities. Moulay Ismail , who was the “building” type, made a glory of the city thanks to the money obtained from the resell of Christian seafarers captured in the sea and kept in the immense underground prison that we can still visit now. Moulay Ismail also built edifices, gardens, monumental gates, ramparts, a gigantic wall of 40 km in length, and a multitude of mosques with beautiful minarets. This is why Meknes is called “a hundred minarets city.”
Nowadays, the medina of Meknes is classified as a world patrimony site of UNESCO, which has caused many of its sites to be restored.
Monuments and Interesting Sites
Through the old remains and thick walls, the city of Meknes reveals its beauty and majestic history.
v Mausoleum Moulay Ismail – built by Ahmed Eddahbi, open to non-Muslims, it shelters the grave of Mouley Ismail
v Nejjarine Mosque – Dates back to the 10th century
v The grand mosque – Built in the 11th century, it includes 11 gates and 143 arcades
v Mosque “Jamaj Roua” – Built in 1790 by Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah
v Cheikh El Kamal Mausoleum – Set up by Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah, it shields the grave of El Hadi Benaissa, settler of
the brotherhood “Aissaoua.”
v Museum Dar Jamaj – This museum displays the Moroccan middle class in the end of the 19th century. Since 1926 it was
made out as a Moroccan arts museum.
v Medersa Bou Jnanja – This is a theological institute, set up by Sultan Abou and Hassan Marini. It includes one patio and a
floor which contains 26 Tolba’s rooms (for students)
v Medersa Fjlalja – This is a historical building with educational and religious characters
v Koubat Al Khayatine – A building in which the sultan Moulay Ismail received the ambassadors and foreign emissaries
v Bab Lakhmjss – a 17th century gate that is richly decorated
v Bab Bardaine – A majestic gate edified by Moulay Ismail in the 17th century
v Dar El Bejda – An Alaouite palace set up by the sultan Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah, it now shelters the Military Royal
Academy
v Farouk El Hanna – A cultural complex, owned by Les Habous
v Ksar Mansour – A palace and attic
v The Haras – Created in 1914 as a military establishment. In 1947 it became a horse breeding center
v Bowl Agdal – A big pool for water accumulation which is 319 meters in length, 149 meters wide, and more than 2 meters in
depth
v Prison Gara - It’s named after the Portugese architect who designed it.
Geography and Climate
Meknes is situated on the plateau of Sais in the Atlas Mountain region. It’s generally rainy in the winter, mild in the spring and autumn, and hot and dry in the summer. With a Mediterranean climate, its average temperature is about 25 degrees Celsius, making it a great place for vacation
Population
The population of Meknes consists of varying groups of people with different backgrounds, ranging from the High Atlas to Berbers of the south. They speak the nation-wide dialect of Dharija, with their own accents and variations, while Berbers still tend to speak their native, tribal language.
Recommendations
To urge you to visit Meknes and its surrounding areas that are abundant in hot springs and magnificent views, we invite you to research our city on the internet to see the different attractions, and learn about local hotels, which can welcome and accommodate a large number of guests. This city also has camping, youth hostels, and riads. Riads are for those who want a total immersion into Meknessi culture and civilization. By being in the ancient houses of natives who had a high social standing, you can learn about the different aspects of life for the Meknessi people.
By Saadia Adli
History
In the 11th and 12th centuries the city was fortified by two different tribes which started to build important mosques, hammams (Moorish baths), and kasbahs. In the 13th century, lots of monuments were built by Abou Youssef and Abou El Hassan. This dynasty made Meknes a real North African city with a Spanish touch.
After this period the city began to lose its importance until the end of the 17th century and the advent of the second sultan “Alaouite,” when the city became the first of the imperial cities. Moulay Ismail , who was the “building” type, made a glory of the city thanks to the money obtained from the resell of Christian seafarers captured in the sea and kept in the immense underground prison that we can still visit now. Moulay Ismail also built edifices, gardens, monumental gates, ramparts, a gigantic wall of 40 km in length, and a multitude of mosques with beautiful minarets. This is why Meknes is called “a hundred minarets city.”
Nowadays, the medina of Meknes is classified as a world patrimony site of UNESCO, which has caused many of its sites to be restored.
Monuments and Interesting Sites
Through the old remains and thick walls, the city of Meknes reveals its beauty and majestic history.
v Mausoleum Moulay Ismail – built by Ahmed Eddahbi, open to non-Muslims, it shelters the grave of Mouley Ismail
v Nejjarine Mosque – Dates back to the 10th century
v The grand mosque – Built in the 11th century, it includes 11 gates and 143 arcades
v Mosque “Jamaj Roua” – Built in 1790 by Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah
v Cheikh El Kamal Mausoleum – Set up by Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah, it shields the grave of El Hadi Benaissa, settler of
the brotherhood “Aissaoua.”
v Museum Dar Jamaj – This museum displays the Moroccan middle class in the end of the 19th century. Since 1926 it was
made out as a Moroccan arts museum.
v Medersa Bou Jnanja – This is a theological institute, set up by Sultan Abou and Hassan Marini. It includes one patio and a
floor which contains 26 Tolba’s rooms (for students)
v Medersa Fjlalja – This is a historical building with educational and religious characters
v Koubat Al Khayatine – A building in which the sultan Moulay Ismail received the ambassadors and foreign emissaries
v Bab Lakhmjss – a 17th century gate that is richly decorated
v Bab Bardaine – A majestic gate edified by Moulay Ismail in the 17th century
v Dar El Bejda – An Alaouite palace set up by the sultan Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah, it now shelters the Military Royal
Academy
v Farouk El Hanna – A cultural complex, owned by Les Habous
v Ksar Mansour – A palace and attic
v The Haras – Created in 1914 as a military establishment. In 1947 it became a horse breeding center
v Bowl Agdal – A big pool for water accumulation which is 319 meters in length, 149 meters wide, and more than 2 meters in
depth
v Prison Gara - It’s named after the Portugese architect who designed it.
Geography and Climate
Meknes is situated on the plateau of Sais in the Atlas Mountain region. It’s generally rainy in the winter, mild in the spring and autumn, and hot and dry in the summer. With a Mediterranean climate, its average temperature is about 25 degrees Celsius, making it a great place for vacation
Population
The population of Meknes consists of varying groups of people with different backgrounds, ranging from the High Atlas to Berbers of the south. They speak the nation-wide dialect of Dharija, with their own accents and variations, while Berbers still tend to speak their native, tribal language.
Recommendations
To urge you to visit Meknes and its surrounding areas that are abundant in hot springs and magnificent views, we invite you to research our city on the internet to see the different attractions, and learn about local hotels, which can welcome and accommodate a large number of guests. This city also has camping, youth hostels, and riads. Riads are for those who want a total immersion into Meknessi culture and civilization. By being in the ancient houses of natives who had a high social standing, you can learn about the different aspects of life for the Meknessi people.
By Saadia Adli