Morocco Travel Guide

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GATEWAY

MAUSOLEUM

MONUMENT

8    Hôtel  Rif

9    Hôtel  Volubilis

    Eating

10   Central    Market

11   Le Dauphin

12   Le Pub

13   Marhaba    Restaurant

14   Palais de  Poulet

15   Pizzeria   le  Four

16   Restaurant Gambrinus

17   Restaurant Pizza   Roma

    Drinking

18   Café   Opera

19   Café   Tulipe

20   Les    Palmiers    d'Aziza

Information

21   Carlson    Wagonlit

22   RAM

IMPERIAL CITY

Bab el-Mansour

( Offline map Google map ) The focus of Place el-Hedim is the huge gate of Bab el-Mansour, the
grandest of all imperial Moroccan gateways. The gate is well preserved with lavish (if faded)
zellij and inscriptions across the top. It was completed by Moulay Ismail’s son, Moulay
Abdallah, in 1732. You can’t walk through the bab itself (although it’s sometimes open to host
exhibitions), but instead have to make do with a side gate to the left.

Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail

Offline map Google map ( donations welcome; 8.30am-noon & 2-6pm Sat-Thu) Diagonally
opposite the Koubbat as-Sufara’ is the resting place of the sultan who made Meknès his capital
in the 17th century. Moulay Ismail’s stature as one of Morocco’s greatest rulers means that
non-Muslim visitors are welcomed into the sanctuary. Entry is through a series of austere,
peaceful courtyards meant to induce a quiet and humble attitude among visitors, an aim that’s
not always successful in the face of a busload of tourists. The tomb hall is a lavish contrast and
showcase of the best of Moroccan craftsmanship. Photography is permitted, but non-Muslims
may not approach the tomb itself.

Koubbat as-Sufara’

Offline map Google  map (   admission   Dh10;    9am-noon   &   3-6pm)  South   of  Bab el-Mansour  lies

the mechouar (parade ground), now known as Place Lalla Aouda, where Moulay Ismail
inspected his famed Black Guard. After bringing 16,000 slaves from sub-Saharan Africa,