Bab El Khemis

Welcome to the grand imperial city of Meknes, a profound architectural testament to the ambitions of a single, formidable ruler. Situated just a short distance from the legendary, labyrinthine streets of Fes, Meknes possesses a…

The monumental gateway standing immediately before you, known as Bab El Khemis, serves as our primary portal into the imperial past. Translated from Arabic, the name signifies the Gate of Thursday, a direct reference to the…

Having successfully navigated the chaotic threshold of Bab El Khemis, you now find yourself in the transitional fringe of the Meknes Medina. This specific area serves as a fascinating case study in urban evolution, distinct from…

You have now arrived at Place el-Hadim, the geographic and historical hinge connecting the organic chaos of the Medina with the highly ordered realm of the imperial palace. The name translates somewhat ominously to the 'Square of…

Moving beyond the grand plaza of Place el-Hadim, you enter a domain where the scale of construction shifts from merely monumental to nearly incomprehensible. We are now tracing the outer perimeter of the Dar al-Makhzen, the vast…

You are now approaching one of the most significant historical and spiritual sites in Meknes: the Mausoleum of Sultan Moulay Ismail. To understand the gravity of this space, one must first understand the terrifying, brilliant,…

Just a short walk from the peaceful, sunlit courtyards of the royal mausoleum lies the dark, terrifying underbelly of Moulay Ismail’s imperial vision: the subterranean network known as the Kara Prison, or the Prison of Christian…

Emerging from the shadows of the prison, our route now traces the heavily fortified perimeter of the Dar al-Makhzen, the official royal palace complex. To call this structure a palace is a profound understatement; it is, in…

Navigating away from the oppressive grandeur of the palace walls, you now enter a distinctly different urban environment: the historic Jewish quarter, known universally in Morocco as the Mellah. Nearly every major imperial city…

Deep within the twisting, sensory-overloaded alleys of the Medina, the discerning traveler must know how to find sanctuary. You have arrived at an unassuming stretch of wall in a quiet offshoot of the market. …

Our journey through the imperial heart of Meknes concludes as we approach the final defensive walls that mark the boundary of the ancient Medina. As you walk toward the exit, take note of the somewhat neglected spaces that often…