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Meknčs, Morocco (October 2007)

Meknčs is one of the four Imperial cities of Morocco (Fes, Marrakech, Rabat and Meknčs) and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The name is derived from the Meknassa, the great Berber tribe that founded the city. During the rule of the Almoravids in the 11th century, it became a military settlement. Later, Meknčs became a capital under the Moroccan Sultan Moulay Ismail, who reigned for 55 years from (1672–1727). He was a tyrant who killed at least 30,000 people during his reign. His motto was: "My subjects are like rats in a basket, and if I don't shake the basket, they will gnaw their way out." The sultan turned Meknčs into an impressive Spanish-Moorish style city, with high walls, great doors and with a blending of the Islamic and European styles of the 17th-century Maghreb. Despite Ismail's interest in building, he never succeeded in making Meknčs the great imperial city he planned it to be (not compared to Fes and Marrakech). Ismail’s tomb in Meknčs is one of the most beautiful monuments in Morocco and one of the few religious buildings that non-Muslims can enter. The souqs (markets) of Meknčs are smaller than those in Fes, but are still wonderful, as is the medina, which is easy to get lost in. A visit to Meknčs is definitely rewarding.
Meknčs, Morocco cover page.
Meknčs, Morocco cover page.		 Map of Morocco with the star indicating Meknčs.
Map of Morocco with the star indicating Meknčs.		 View of the magnificent Bāb el-Mansour Gate in Meknčs, which is widely considered to be North Africa's most beautiful gate.
View of the magnificent Bāb el-Mansour Gate in Meknčs, which is widely considered to be North Africa's most beautiful gate.		 I came across these musicians when entering into the medina of Meknčs.
I came across these musicians when entering into the medina of Meknčs.
They let me take their picture, although a tip was required!
They let me take their picture, although a tip was required!		 A group shot of the musicians.
A group shot of the musicians.		 This couple was probably going to the mosque since it was Ramadan when I was there.
This couple was probably going to the mosque since it was Ramadan when I was there.		 A beautiful entry gate to that I passed by in the medina in Meknčs.
A beautiful entry gate to that I passed by in the medina in Meknčs.
After a downpour in Meknčs, this man was mopping up water in Medrassa Bou Inania completed in 1358 (a medrassa is a school).
After a downpour in Meknčs, this man was mopping up water in Medrassa Bou Inania completed in 1358 (a medrassa is a school).		 Students aged 8 to 10 lived on the ground floor, while older students lived above.
Students aged 8 to 10 lived on the ground floor, while older students lived above.		 View of a minaret of the Grande Mosque in Meknčs from the rooftop of the Medrassa Bou Inania.
View of a minaret of the Grande Mosque in Meknčs from the rooftop of the Medrassa Bou Inania.		 Another view of the minaret of the Grande Mosque from the rooftop.
Another view of the minaret of the Grande Mosque from the rooftop.
Street scene in the medina of Meknčs.
Street scene in the medina of Meknčs.		 I was taken to a bakery to see how Moroccan bread is made.
I was taken to a bakery to see how Moroccan bread is made.		 View of the bread baking in the oven.
View of the bread baking in the oven.		 The baker was getting ready to put some dough in the oven.
The baker was getting ready to put some dough in the oven.
An ancient window in Meknčs of the Berber people (indigenous inhabitants of Morocco).
An ancient window in Meknčs of the Berber people (indigenous inhabitants of Morocco).		 View of a 14th century mosque in Meknčs with a painted door.
View of a 14th century mosque in Meknčs with a painted door.		 Above the door is this 14th century olivewood carved ceiling.
Above the door is this 14th century olivewood carved ceiling.		 Only women used this ancient cedar mosque.
Only women used this ancient cedar mosque.
Next to the womens' mosque is this mosque, which was used only by men.
Next to the womens' mosque is this mosque, which was used only by men.		 In the medina, I passed by this school where these boys learned how to make silk kaftans.
In the medina, I passed by this school where these boys learned how to make silk kaftans.		 Next, I visited the workshop of this cedar carver in the medina in Meknčs.
Next, I visited the workshop of this cedar carver in the medina in Meknčs.		 Close-up of his cedar carving.
Close-up of his cedar carving.
My tour guide took me to many shops (probably hoping that I would buy something) including this silk shop!
My tour guide took me to many shops (probably hoping that I would buy something) including this silk shop!		 Silk kaftans (a cloak buttoned down the front with full sleeves) for sale in a Meknčs dress shop.
Silk kaftans (a cloak buttoned down the front with full sleeves) for sale in a Meknčs dress shop.		 These djellabas (wool or cotton hooded outer garments) were also for sale in the dress shop in Meknčs.
These djellabas (wool or cotton hooded outer garments) were also for sale in the dress shop in Meknčs.		 A trip to Morocco would not be complete without a trip to a carpet shop (probably owned by my tour guide's brother-in-law)!
A trip to Morocco would not be complete without a trip to a carpet shop (probably owned by my tour guide's brother-in-law)!
After being served tea and getting the complete sales pitch, I disappointed the proprietors by not buying any carpets!
After being served tea and getting the complete sales pitch, I disappointed the proprietors by not buying any carpets!		 Next, we went to the food market in Meknčs where this olive vendor was selling a huge variety of olives.
Next, we went to the food market in Meknčs where this olive vendor was selling a huge variety of olives.		 Close-up of the olives.
Close-up of the olives.		 Further down in the Meknčs souk was the spice vendor. He yelled at me for taking this picture!
Further down in the Meknčs souk was the spice vendor. He yelled at me for taking this picture!
Close-up of the array of spices.
Close-up of the array of spices.		 This man was negotiating a transaction at the food market.
This man was negotiating a transaction at the food market.		 The best of the food market came last when I passed by this pastry stand.
The best of the food market came last when I passed by this pastry stand.		 View of Place Lalla Aouda which is the huge open square in front of the Bāb el-Mansour Gate in Meknčs.
View of Place Lalla Aouda which is the huge open square in front of the Bāb el-Mansour Gate in Meknčs.
There had just been a huge downpour in Meknčs, so people were running for cover.
There had just been a huge downpour in Meknčs, so people were running for cover.		 View of the magnificent Bāb el-Mansour Gate from Place Lalla Aouda.
View of the magnificent Bāb el-Mansour Gate from Place Lalla Aouda.		 I also got caught in the downpour, so I put this piece of cardboard over my head!
I also got caught in the downpour, so I put this piece of cardboard over my head!		 A horse and buggy passing in front of the Bāb el-Mansour Gate in Meknčs.
A horse and buggy passing in front of the Bāb el-Mansour Gate in Meknčs.

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