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 King's mausoleum, Rabat Morocco's capital, Rabat is a modern city with wide boulevards,
gardens and light, white buildings, for the most part a far cry
from the hectic warrens of the other Imperial cities of Marrakech
and Fez, but no less steeped in history with its origins going back
to the 7th century. The King of Morocco lives here in his palace
amid trees and flowers. Being an administrative capital the city is
somewhat conservative and serious, but there is some local colour
to be found in the old part of the city, the Medina, and the
Kasbah. Recreational opportunities abound too, with a
world-renowned golf course (the Dar Es Salaam Course) and a few
lovely beaches at hand. Rabat sits on the Atlantic coastal plain at
the mouth of the river Bou Regreg, opposite to its twin city of
Sale.
Attractions Archaeological Museum
An exceptional collection of Roman bronzes dating from the first
and second centuries and recovered from the site at Volubilis,
takes pride of place at Rabat's Archaeological Museum. Other
artefacts unearthed at sites of Phoenician, Carthaginian and Roman
settlements around Morocco are displayed on the two floors of the
museum.
Address: 23 Rue Brihi, Ville Nouvelle;
Telephone: (0)7 70 19 19;
Opening time: Daily 9am to 11.30am, and 2.30pm to 5.30pm; closed Tuesdays
Hassan Mosque
The massive minaret of the Hassan Mosque, dating from 1195,
towers over Rabat, although the huge mosque itself was never
entirely completed and was largely destroyed in an earthquake in
1755. The minaret is unusually sited at the centre of the mosque
building, and was intended to be 262ft (80m) high, though it stands
today at 164ft (50m). Each façade of the minaret is
intricately patterned with different motifs on each face. Opposite
the Hassan Mosque is the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, one of the great
monuments of modern Morocco, inaugurated in 1967. The deceased king
lies entombed in white onyx, surrounded by royal guards, and
hundreds of Moroccans pay homage by filing through the mausoleum
each day.
Kasbah des Oudaļas
An airy 'village within the city', the Kasbah is a pleasant
place to take a stroll to admire some interesting architecture and
see some sights. The Kasbah was the Alhomad citadel of medieval
Rabat, and is guarded by an impressive arched gate built around
1195. Inside the Kasbah is the palace and Andalucian gardens, as
well as a broad terrace, which gives beautiful views of the river
and sea close to the city's oldest mosque, the Kasbah Mosque,
founded in 1050. Below the terrace are several fortifications with
gun emplacements guarding the estuary, and even further below is a
beach, usually crowded with local people.
Address: Kasbah des Oudaias;
Telephone: (0)7 73 15 37
Medina
Rabat’s Medina, or old city, was created by Andalucian
Muslim refugees from Badajoz in Spain, and was essentially all
there was to the city until the arrival of the French in 1912 and
the subsequent building of the Ville Nouvelle or new quarter. The
Medina is small and not as interesting or attractive as the old
city sections of Fez or Marrakech, however the foundouks
(traditional cafes) and shops make for a lively atmosphere. Souika
Street is the main artery through the Medina, where you will find
the leather sellers at the Sebbat souk (footwear bazaar). In
Consules Street shops sell curiosities, souvenirs and Moroccan
craft items such as copper and embroidery and the famed Rabat
carpets.
Palace Museum and Gardens
The Palace in the Kasbah on the Rue Bazzo dates from the 17th
century and was built by Moulay Ismail after he subdued the pirate
republic of Rabat and took over the Kasbah as a garrison for the
Oudaias, a Saharan tribe who formed the bulk of his mercenary army.
Today the palace, a beautiful classic building, houses the Museum
of Moroccan Arts featuring exhibits such as Berber jewellery,
costumes and local carpets. The palace grounds contain the
beautiful Andalucian Gardens with their sunken shrubberies and
flowerbeds, bougainvillea and fragrant herbs.
Opening time: Daily 9am to 12pm, and 3pm to 5.30pm; closed Tuesdays
The Citadel of Chellah
Emerging from the boulevards of the Ville Nouvelle (New Town) of
Rabat one comes across the ruins of Chellah, once the thriving
walled Roman port city of Sala Colonia, abandoned in 1154 in favour
of Sale across the other side of the river mouth. In the time of
the Almohads the site was used as a royal burial ground. The
Merenid Sultan Abou El Hassan added some monuments and the striking
main gate during his reign in the mid-14th century. Just inside the
gate are the Roman ruins dating from 200 BC, which includes a
forum, a temple and a craftsmen's quarter.
Excursions |
