Meknes

Meknes is a city in northern Morocco. It’s known for its imperial past, with remnants including Bab Mansour, a huge gate with arches and mosaic tiling. The gate leads into the former imperial city. The Mausoleum of Sultan Moulay Ismail, who made the city his capital in the 17th century, has courtyards and fountains. To the south, ruined Heri es-Souani is a vast structure once used as stables and for food storage.

 

Outside of the imperial city is the Meknes medina (old town). The landmark Grand Mosque, founded in the 11th century by the Almoravid dynasty, has a distinctive green minaret. Nearby, the Medersa Bou Inania is a 14th-century former religious school, decorated with a classic Moroccan carved-wood ceiling, mosaic tiling and stucco. The Dar Jamai Museum is in an 1882 house with a courtyard. It showcases local artisanship with displays of earthenware, embroidery and jewelry. North of Meknes are the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis, with columns and well-preserved, intricate mosaics.