Things to do and places to visit in Meknes,Morocco

Things to do and attractions to visit in Meknes,Morocco

If you are planning a trip to Fes and can afford some time, stopping by adjacent Meknes, an overlooked gem, is well worth the visit.

Meknes (also spelt Meknès) is located between Fes(60 kilometres) and Rabat(130 kilometres) along the N13 road.

Like other Morocco's imperial cities, it hosts quite few interesting attractions.

Meknes was named after a Berber tribe called the Miknasa(Imknasn in Berber).

Today, it has gained another tourist label "the Versailles of Morocco".

Volubilis (Walili in Arabic).

Situated close to the town of Moulay Idriss, 30 km north of Meknes, Volubilis, an amazing world heritage archaeological site. It features the most preserved ancient Roman ruins. Stunning mosaics, relics, basilica, baths, temples, victory arch.

In recent years, the site has become almost deserted and neglected by local tourism authorities.

Not many tourists are visiting it mostly due to its discouraging detour location. Those into history and archaeology will find it well worth the visit.

A nearby hotel, Restaurant Panoramique, is reported to serve the most delicious tagine in Morocco. This region is also famous for the best olive oil quality. For more information on Volubilis click here for a wikipedia article

Old Medina

Meknes medina is more relaxed and less bustling than Fes and Marrakech's. But it shares a lot in common with the latter.
The winding alleys,narrow streets and closed markets.

No wonder, Meknes was built by the same person who built Marrakech-The Great Moravid Sultan Yousef Ben Tashafin.
You can find good quality artwork in its bazaars and boutiques.

Lhdeem square

Similar to Tangier's The Grand Socco, Lhdeem is a nice relaxed place to get a feel of life in Meknes and its people. Drinks and snacks are tasty and galore.

The Grand Mosque

For muslims, this is a good site to visit. It was built by Sultan Yousef Ben Tashafin and renovated during Mohammed Alnasser reign in 1199.
The entrance of the mosque is a reflection of the Islamic and Andalusion architecture with a Moroccan flavor.

Madrasat Abou Inan

Just close by The Grand Mosque is Madrasat(school of) Abou Inan. An old Moroccan school built in 1345. Those passionate about old craftsmanship,this is a perfect place to visit
It is open for visitors in most days for a small fee.

The Walls of Meknes

Meknes old walls and gates are more than 25 kms long. Among them Bab Mansour, more than 250 years old,stands out. Supported by marble columns and decorated with zellij mosaics,green and white ceramic tiling. It is now used as an arts and crafts gallery. A small taxi (petit taxi) drive is well worth it.

An old gate is referred to as Bab (the same word for door).
Bab Almansoor,Bab Alnoor(the Gate of Light), Bab Alkhamis(Thursday Gate),Bab Jdid (The New gate). These gates are accessible from the place called Lhdeem(the 'h' sound is pronounced as in French and German)
The gates are entrances to many souks,bazaars and markets,so it's also another shopping or simply people watching opportunity.

Dar Aljamee museum

built in 1882 Aljamai who was then prime minister later to be turned into a hospital by the French.
Accessible from lhdeem, this place still features almost intact furnished rooms,ceramics and other interesting stuff. Well worth the visit.

Kubbat lKhayateen

Not known why this name is picked since it was used as a reception hall for foreign ambassadors. Another more pertinent name is Kubbat A Sufara( of ambassadors).

Hri Souani
Hri is Moroccan Arabic for barn. It was built by Moulay Ismail and served as a stable for his 15.000 horses(mostly original Arabian horses donated by horse breeders as gifts to the sultan). The place was also a barn for grain and wheat storage,granaries.

Unfortunately, this building was destroyed by the famous 1755 earthquake that destroyed most of Meknes. It is said that the 1755 earthquake was so powerful it brought the centre of Lisbon down.

Some remaining columns and channels have been restored.
This place is the very setting for the 1988 popular movie "The Last Temptation of Christ" by screenwriter Paul Schrader and Martin Scorcese. The film was based on a novel by Nikos Kazantzakis.

Dar El Makhzen (House of the Governor)

This is one of Moulay Ismail's old palaces that are still being used for the rare occasions the current king visits the city.

Agdal Lake

This a stone-lined basin used by the locals as a weekend retreat and holidays picnics in particular during summer time.

The shrine of Mouly Ismail

located south of the place called Lhdeem, is the Tomb of Mouly Ismail. Tombs in morocco are built in a unique design. Moroccans visit the tombs of their late kings for a mixture of spiritual and nationalistic reasons.

Moulay Ismail is the founder of the current Alwaite Dynasty who made of Meknes the capital of Morocco during his reign(1672–1727). Visitors of all nationalities are allowed in but respectful clothing is required-No shorties or cleavage.

A list of some hotels in Moulay Idriss(for Volubilis stay):

Restaurant Panoramique:
Address:Rue L N 7 Ain RjaL
Moulay Driss Zerhoun 50350, Meknès.
Tel : (212)3-554-4400

Hotel-Restaurant Diyar Timnay:
Another budget hotel in the area
Address:Rue L N7 Ain Rjal
Moulay Idriss Zerhoun
Tel:(212)535 54 44 00
Cel:661.10.43.18
Site:http://www.diyar-timnay.com/acceuil.html
**********************************************
Palais Didi (Meknes)

Other information of relevant interest:

Things to do,attractions and places to visit in Tangiers,Morocco

Things to do,attractions and places to visit in Asilah,Morocco

Meknes Restaurants Guide Adresses

Meknes Hotels Riads Guide des hotels

Things to do,attractions and places to visit in Tetouan,Morocco

Things to do,attractions and places to visit in chefchaouen,Morocco

Things to do,attractions and places to visit in Rabat,Morocco

Things to do,attractions and places to visit in Casablanca,Morocco

Things to do,attractions and places to visit in Merzouga,Morocco

Things to do,attractions and places to visit in Ouarzazate,Morocco

Things to do visit in Essaouira,Morocco

Women visiting morocco: Travel tips and advice

Things to do and places to see in Marrakech,Morocco

Things to do,attractions and places to visit in Fes,Morocco

Things to do,attractions and places to visit in Meknes,Morocco

Best time to visit travel to morocco

List of things to do while in morocco

Visiting morocco with children:Tips & Info

Things to do,attractions and places to visit in Merzouga,Morocco

what to wear when visiting morocco

Visiting Morocco From Spain - Transportation Information

Visiting morocco during ramadan

Visiting Morocco in November

visiting morocco in january

Tangermed Passagers - Tangier/Spain ferry crossing

Morocco Travel Guide

Morocco Maps:Detailed city map

Morocco Flights - Flight deals & time

Visiting Marrakech Guide - Travel tips and advice

Tangermed Passagers - Port Tanger Med 2

Morocco Public Transportation Trains Transport & buses

**************************************

henne au maroc

Comment obtenir visa etudes france

Liste des adresses hotels fes

comment ajouter sitemap blog blogger

port tanger med 2

Morocco property real estate buyers

morocco overseas property industry

morocco economic strength euro zone

moroccan economy global economic crisis

Cartoons dessins animes gratuits:Naruto

listes des sites emploi au maroc

Tanger etablissements hoteliers

maroc tournoi international sale

Festival divan occidental oriental

Tanger tourisme traversee algesiras

Maroc basket feminin sports nouveaux

Wydad de casablanca wac benabicha

Maroc france partenariat en energie

maroc villes pollution maladies

incident royal air maroc

iam wana meditel modem 3g

Morocco attracts property investors

lettres demande emploi exemple modeles

Comment ecrire rediger un bon cv

Achat et vente des voitures d'occasion au maroc

Musique du Maroc en mp3 - Ecouter et telecharger

Arabic music & video sharing arab site/forum