Morocco, the imperial city of Meknes

What to see and do in Meknes

Located in the Middle Atlas region and founded in the 10th century,  Meknes is one of Morocco’s four old imperial cities and offers a myriad of attractions for a visitor.

The city served as the capital of Morocco starting from the mid of the 18th century, and in 1996, the UNESCO put the Historic centre on its list of World Heritage sites.

During a tour in the northern side of Morocco, it’s worth spending a day visiting the stunning architectural gems of the city and get lost in the narrow alleys of the vibrant souk.

Let’s go to discover the Meknes top attractions

1) El Hedime square

This is the main square of the city, beating heart of the Medina, and connects the Medina itself with the Kasbah.

It is lined with restaurants, cafes and a covered market selling sweets, meat, vegetables, and fruit.

El Hedime square recalls the Jemaa el Fna square in Marrakech when in the late evening it turns into a vibrant and charming place plenty of merchants with their booths, monkey trainers, local musicians, storytellers, traditional healers and snake charmers ready to “kidnap” you for a pic.

Since Meknes is the least famous and visited of the four imperial cities, the square is much more authentic, and the artists perform here for locals, not for tourists.

2) Bab El-Mansour

“I am the most beautiful gate in Morocco. I’m like the moon in the sky. Property and wealth are written on my front’’. This is the translation of the Arabic inscription you’ll find on this imposing historic imperial gate facing El Hedime square.

Built in the 1730s, it is adorned with stunning zellige tiles in various colours, fine brickwork, carved wood, arches and it is often celebrated as the most beautiful entrance gates in the whole Morocco. It is about 16 meters high wheres the span of the arch of the door is 8 meters.

3) Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail

Built in the 17th century, it is the mausoleum in which Sultan Moulay Ismail, his millet and his son rest. Moulay Ismail reigned Morocco between 1672 and 1727, and he was the king who moved the capital to Meknes building new gates, ramparts, mosques and palaces.

It is one of the very few religious sites in Morocco open to non-muslim visitors (not allowed to approach the tomb itself).

During the visit, you can admire the beautiful chambers decorated with a series of intricate tile “windows”, chandeliers, carved wood, arcades and fountains. Note: The Mausoleum is currently closed for restoration works.

4) Bou Inania Madrasa

The Bou Inania Medersa is a Koranic school, and it was a significant centre of learning for followers of Islam. It was built in the 14th century during the reign of the Merinids (13th to 15th century) and completed in 1350 by Abu Inan Faris, a former sultan of Morocco.

It’s an authentic jewel and architectural highlight of Meknes. It boasts refined courtyard richly decorated with zellige tiles, stucco, carved olive wood, a detailed cedar ceiling and Quranic inscriptions on the decorative walls.

On the upper floors are located the small cells where students and teachers once lived, whereas on its roof there is a terrace from which to admire a beautiful view of the Medina. Not to be missed il also the ancient hammam of the Madrasa with its flaking plaster.

5) Strolling through the old Medina

So as in all the Moroccan city, one of the most exciting things to do is to get lost in the narrow street of the Medina, the old part of the city.

Strolling in this labyrinth, you will find sheer endless corridors of shops, from clothing to spices, fruit, vegetables, food, animals and, as our guide said, probably there is nothing you won’t find here.

The streets are so narrow that the locals can use hand wagon or donkey. The Medina is very authentic, and shops sell exclusively to the demands of the locals, and you won’t find the cheap trinkets like in the touristic Marrakech.

6) Heri Es-Souani

Built by Moulay Ismail, Heri es-Souani is a monumental building, once the city’s Royal stables and granaries. Heri es-Souani was built to accommodate up to 12.000 horses and also to preserve the immense grain reserve.

Partially restored, both buildings were destroyed quite heavily in the earthquake in 1755. Next to the stables, there is the vast Sahrij Swani Basin, fed by several canals and built to provide water for the many horses.

7) Habs Qara prison

It is a huge ancient prison that stretches deep down below the streets of Meknes. Habs Qara was sadly home to up to 60,000 prisoners, mostly slaves and Christian prisoners of war.

It is said that Moulay Ismail used these prisoners as labour for the construction of great works. If you have time, don’t miss to visit this impressive building walking through its damp corridor, cells, small ceiling and staircases reliving the terrible living conditions of the prisoners with your imagination.

8) Dar Jamai Museum

There are a few museums in Meknes, and with no doubt, Dar Jamai is the most interesting. Located at the far end of El Hedime square inside an old palace, it houses a collection of Moroccan art ranging from wrought iron objects to wooden sculptures, from fabrics to ceramics, with pieces dating back to the reign of Moulay Ismail.

Need to Know about Meknes