Fes, Marrakesh, Meknes, and Rabat are referred to be the country's Imperial Cities because they were Morocco's four previous capital cities.
These gorgeous cities are worth exploring because they each have their unique charm. Idris I of the Idrisid dynasty, who ruled between 788 and 974 CE, established the settlement of Fes between 789 and 808 CE. Fes is now the third-largest city in Morocco and has a population of about a million.
Visitors will find a plethora of history and culture to appreciate in this dynamic city, which has also been referred to as the "Athens of Africa" and "Mecca of the West."
The imperial cities—Fez, Meknes, Marrakesh, and Rabat—have all served as the capital of Morocco at various times during its history; Rabat is the current occupant.
Where are the imperial cities of Morocco located?
Morocco's imperial cities are, of course, located in Morocco.Morocco is located in the northwest corner of Africa. The country is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Morocco has a population of over 33 million people. The official language of Morocco is Arabic.
Fes, Meknes, Marrakesh, and Rabat have served as Morocco's capital at various points in its history; Rabat is he current occupant. They are commonly referred to as imperial cities.
Fes is the oldest; it became the nation's capital for the first time under Sultan Idriss II, a great-great-grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, in the ninth century. The Almoravides assumed control after his dynasty fell, and Marrakesh became their capital.
Nevertheless, Fes remained a significant city and has twice since served as the capital under various kings. In the 12th century, the Almohads established Rabat as their capital, later replaced by Meknes under the legendary Moroccan monarch Moulay Ismael. Under the French protectorate, which started in 1912, Rabat once more assumed the role of capital, and it kept it after independence.
Fes, Morocco
Idriss I founded Fes, the first and most iconic of Morocco's imperial capitals, in 789. Idriss I also founded the Kingdom of Morocco. As successive dynasties arose and disappeared, it served as the capital three more times. Fes is adorned with domes and minarets today, and its famed medina is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in the entire world.
History of Fes, Morocco
Since its inception, Fes has held the position of the capital city of Morocco several times. It served as the capital of the Marinid dynasty from 1244 to 1465, then the Idrisid dynasty from 1465 to 1471. Fes served as the seat of government under the Wattasid dynasty from 1471 to 1554 and then the Dila'ite dynasty from 1659 to 1663. Fes served as the Alaouite dynasty's capital from 1666 to 1672 and from 1727 until 1912. Right now, Rabat serves as Morocco's capital.
Fes was the capital of Morocco
During the Idrisid dynasty, from the beginning of the 9th century to 974 CE
During the Marinid dynasty, from 1244 to 1465 CE
During the 15th century Idrisid interlude, from 1465 to 1471 CE
During the Wattasid dynasty, from 1471 to 1554 CE
During the Saadian dynasty, from 1603 to 1627 CE
During the 17th century Dila'ite interlude, from 1659 to 1663 CE
During the Alaouite dynasty, from 1666 to 1672 and from 1727 to 1912 CE
The many medinas of Fes, Morocco
Fes is more like three towns in one because of the approximately ten-mile-long walls that surround it. Fes el Bali, the bigger of the two old medinas and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the city's cultural and historical core. The historic medina is a big, supposedly one of the largest in the world, car-free urban area.
The relaxed atmosphere and lack of traffic make walking about and discovering new places easy. The more recent medina, Fez el Jedid, dates from the late 13th century. The Mellah, or old Jewish neighborhood, is located here. The French constructed the city's modern section when Morocco was still a protectorate; while intriguing, it lacks the historic medinas' appeal.
The incredible architecture of Fes, Morocco
Visitors will be awed by the magnificent decorations on the structures and monuments built throughout the ages by successive emperors. The city's attractions include the Medersa, Bou Inania, and the Belghazi Museum, situated in a riad from the 17th century. Although the mosques are immaculately maintained and ornamented, non-Muslim tourists should be aware that they are not permitted inside. The medinas are the most popular tourist destinations, and tourists should spend hours wandering the congested, cramped alleyways while dodging donkeys carrying supplies to the souk's stores.
Take your time, unwind, and enjoy Fes, the first and most historic of Morocco's Imperial Cities.
Meknes, Morocco
Meknès, one of the country's four Imperial Cities, is mentioned alongside Fes, Marrakech, and Rabat as having formerly been the capital of Morocco during its lengthy and fascinating history. The Almoravids initially established Meknès in the 11th century as a military outpost.
Still, it wasn't until the Alaouite dynasty under Sultan Moulay Ismail (1672–1727) that the city's massive walls and gates were constructed, giving it the character of the fortified city in Spanish-Moorish style, that it still has today. There are many historical and cultural sites for visitors to this attractive Moroccan location to discover. While Meknès maintains its traditional past, it also has all the amenities and infrastructure of a modern city.
History of Meknès, Morocco
The Almoravids supposedly founded Meknès in the 11th century. However, evidence points to the Miknasa Berber tribe from southern Tunisia having been there as early as the 9th century. A large portion of Meknès was destroyed with the rising of the Almohads, who the Almoravids opposed, but afterward rebuilt. The Merinid dynasty saw the construction of many mosques, kasbahs, and madrasas, while the Wattasid dynasty saw further expansion. As previously mentioned, Sultan Moulay Ismail made Meknès the capital city and had defenses constructed, including grand gates, gardens, and numerous mosques. As a result, the city is known as the "City of a Hundred Minarets."
Meknès was the capital of Morocco
Ismail Ibn Sharif, the Alaouite ruler who ruled from 1672 until 1727, made it his capital and erected its defenses. To the south of the old city, he extended the old kasbah and transformed it into a new grand palace-city.
The 27 gates of Meknès, Morocco
Bab Mansour is the largest and most spectacular of the twenty-seven gates in Meknès' defensive fortifications. The gates were finished in 1732 and featured marble columns from the neighboring Roman remains of Volubilis and zellij mosaics. The central area of the medina, Spot El-Hedim, which has some stalls and sidewalk cafés offering a comfortable place to sit and unwind, is right across from Bab Mansour, where visitors will find it. The medina comes alive as dusk falls, with storytellers, animal trainers, jugglers, and fire swallowers competing for viewers' attention.
The magnificent Dar El Makhzen palace, Moulay Ismail's official residence, the Laboul Gardens with their zoological garden and open-air theater, the mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, the Agdal Reservoir, the Grand Mosque from the 11th century, and the 19th-century Dar El Beida palace, which now serves as the Royal Military Academy, are a few additional points of interest. There are undoubtedly many good reasons to visit the Imperial City of Meknès.
Rabat, Morocco
The modern capital, Rabat, was built as an imperial metropolis in the 18th century after being occupied by the Romans. The second-largest city in terms of population and the political, economic, and administrative hub of Morocco, this metropolis is known for its vast boulevards and green spaces.
History of Rabat, Morocco
Rabat, established in the 12th century by the Almohad caliph Yaqub al-Mansur, was named one of Morocco's four Imperial Cities in the 18th century by the Alaouite ruler Muhammad ibn Abdallah. Meknés, Marrakech, and Fez are the other three imperial cities. The capital of Morocco and the second largest city in the country today, Rabat also houses all foreign embassies. More than 1.8 million people live in the conurbation that includes Rabat, Temara, and Salé, situated at the mouth of the Bou Regreg River on the Atlantic Ocean. Rabat is a bustling, modern city with many historical and cultural monuments that visitors can explore. It is a recognized UNESCO World Heritage site.
Rabat as the capital of Morocco
Yaqub al-Mansur, the Almohad caliph, founded Marrakech intending to make it his capital. Still, after his death, the idea was shelved, and Marrakech continued to serve as the nation's capital.
The Alaouite sultan Muhammad ibn Abdallah, who erected the Dar al-Makhzan palace, declared Rabat as an Imperial city in the 18th century even though he did not select any city as his capital and instead alternated between Rabat, Fez, and Marrakech.
Strategic military location of Rabat, Morocco
Rabat has experienced numerous handovers throughout its history due to its strategic location, with each new invader affecting the city's culture. Although Abd-al-Mu'min, the Almohad ruler, used Rabat as a fortress to launch attacks on Iberia in 1146. Yaqub al-Mansur, the Almohad caliph, constructed the city's great defensive walls and the breathtaking Kasbah of the Udayas, which are still standing today. Additionally, he began work on what was to be the biggest mosque in the world. The project was abandoned because the Almohad caliph died before it was finished. The unfinished mosque's ruins and the unfinished Hassan Tower minaret are both visible to visitors in Rabat. The tower, made of red sandstone, is 44 meters tall, or roughly half its intended height. Hasan Tower, the unfinished mosque, and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V are all sights to view while touring the city.
Nature of Rabat, Morocco
The Exotic Gardens of Rabat-Salé are an excellent place for nature enthusiasts. Streams, waterfalls, fountains, lotus blooms, and other flora are traversed by a network of pathways that cross rope bridges. Colored signs indicate routes, and there are benches along the way where travelers can relax and take in the peace. The gardens also have a structure that houses various spiders and reptiles.
The major Royal house Dâr-al-Makhzen, Rabat Hassan, Avenue Mohammed V, Pietri Square, the Rabat Medina, and the Bouregreg Marina are a few other points of interest in the Imperial City of Rabat.
Marrakesh, Morocco
Marrakesh was established in 1071 and held the title of capital of Morocco for the following two centuries as well as in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. It remains a reminder of Morocco's illustrious Almoravid and Almohad rulers. Marrakesh is a central tribal marketplace with Berber origins rather than Arab ones.
The rich history of Marrakesh, Morocco
One of Morocco's four Imperial Cities, along with Fes, Meknes, and Rabat, Marrakech is drenched in history and culture. It offers a variety of places to see and things to do. The Royal Palace, Jemaa el-Fnaa, Majorelle Garden, Bahia Palace, and Koutoubia Mosque are among Marrakech's most popular tourist destinations.
Marrakesh was the capital of Morocco
During the Almoravid dynasty, from 1071 to 1147 CE
During the Almohad dynasty, from 1147 to 1244 CE
During the the Saadi dynasty, as princes of Tagmadert from 1511 to 1554 and as sultans of Morocco from 1554 to 1659 CE
During certain periods of the Alaouite dynasty
Marrakesh's bustling Jemaa el Fnaa square
The city's central square, Jemaa el Fnaa, is a hub of activity where tourists and locals mix while going about their everyday lives. The daytime is filled with snake charmers and young people eager to take pictures with their Barbary monkeys (for a price). At the sidewalk cafés, guests may have mint tea and pastries while taking in the activity around them. The Chleuh tribe's young lads perform traditional Berber music and dance in the evening. At the same time, storytellers weave their tales with dramatic gestures and expressions, and magicians dazzle the crowds with their cunning sleight-of-hand maneuvers. Without seeing Jemaa el Fnaa, a trip to Marrakech would undoubtedly fall short.
Cobalt blue gardens of Marrakesh, Morocco
The Majorelle Gardens in Marrakech, once the residence of renowned French artist Jacques Majorelle, have cobalt blue painted structures, brilliant fountains, striking sculptures, beautiful artworks, and a wide variety of plants, including an excellent collection of cacti. In addition, the gardens are home to approximately 15 endemic bird species to North Africa and the Islamic Art Museum of Marrakech.
Bahia Palace of Marrakesh, Morocco
The Grand Vizier of Marrakech erected the Bahia Palace in the late 19th century, where he resided with his large family and was surrounded by exquisitely designed gardens. The palace was created with the privacy of its occupants in mind while paying homage to Moroccan and Islamic architectural elements. Hundreds of artisans crafted the elaborate stucco, wood, and other ornaments of the palace; guests should make sure to see these.
Mosques and museums of Marrakesh, Morocco
The Koutoubia Mosque is the biggest in Marrakech. It was finished during the rule of Almohad Caliph Yaqub al-Mansur and is located next to Jemaa el Fnaa. The 77-meter-tall sandstone minaret is built inside the structure, made of red stone and brick. A distinctive Moroccan-style spire made of copper balls that get smaller as they get higher is perched atop the minaret.
The Dar Si Said Museum, Marrakech Museum, and Museum of Islamic Art are just a few museums that shed light on this North African nation and its people. Include some of these fascinating sights in your schedule when you visit the Imperial City of Marrakech.
Conclusion
There are many reasons to visit the imperial cities of Morocco. They are home to some of the most stunning architecture and historical sites in the world.
They are also a great place to experience the culture and traditions of Morocco. If you are looking for a unique and exotic travel destination, then the imperial cities of Morocco are definitely worth a visit; Diamond Transfers and Tours is happy to design a customized itinerary tailored to your prefereces and interests.
