The main historical sights of Morocco are located in the so-called “imperial” cities, that is, in cities that were once the capital of the country and, accordingly, the residence of the kings. These include Fes, Marrakesh, Meknes and Rabat.
According to Top-mba-universities, Rabat is the current capital of Morocco. It was founded in the 12th century on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. In the city, it is worth seeing the Kasbah of Oudaya and the mausoleum of Mohammed V, which are built in the traditional Moroccan style, the Andalusian gardens, where a wide variety of plant species grow, and visit numerous museums – the Museum of Moroccan Art, the Museum of Antiquity, the Museum of Archeology, the Ethnographic Museum and the Museum of Natural History. Not far from Rabat is the ancient city of Sale, famous among Muslim pilgrims for the chapel of Sidi Abdallah ben Hassun.
Marrakech is considered one of the most mysterious cities in Morocco, it is located in the heart of the country. Hallmark of Marrakesh is the Jem el-Fna square, which has been recognized by UNESCO as a cultural heritage of mankind. The square comes alive in the late afternoon, whoever is not here: street musicians, dancers, snake charmers, fire-eaters and fortune tellers arrange all kinds of performances. Of the architectural monuments, the Kutubiya Mosque, the mausoleum of Yusuf bin Tashfin, the Golden Apples Mosque, the Bahia Palace, the tomb of the Saadids, the royal palace of Dar el-Makhzen (the residence of His Majesty) stand out. The city is famous for its markets, and all of them are divided according to the goods offered, there is a market for antiques, fruits, oriental sweets, etc.
Of the sights of the High Atlas, one can single out a waterfall called “Ouzoud” or “Veil of Lovers” (Cascades d’Ouzoud) 110 meters high. It is located near the village of Tanaghmeilt, located at an altitude of 1800 meters, 150 km northeast of Marrakech. Ouzoud is a Berber word meaning “olive tree”, which grow in abundance around. You can swim in the waterfall, and at the top there are many old small factories that still produce olive oil. At dusk, you can see flocks of monkeys here. Fes is one of the most beautiful ancient cities in Morocco.. It was built in the 8th century. For tourists, the most interesting will be the old quarter, which is framed by fortress walls and has about 800 mosques. Visit the Qaraouin University Mosque (one of the oldest universities in the world), the mausoleum of Sultan Moulay Idris II, the Grand Mosque and the Royal Palace. Fez is located in the foothills of the Atlas, so excursions to the picturesque mountainous areas are organized from here every day.
The ruins of Roman settlements have been preserved on the territory of the country. One of them was excavated near Meknes. The buildings, among which a basilica, a triumphal arch and numerous mosaics were found, date back to the 3rd century AD. But still, one of the symbols of Morocco is the relatively “young” mosque of Hassan II, which is located in Casablanca . It was opened in 1993, it is the second largest mosque in Islamic countries after the Muslim temple in Mecca and one of the few where people of a different faith are allowed.
Worth a trip to the mountains. The most popular places in the Atlas Mountains are the picturesque waterfall Veil of Lovers, 150 km from Marrakesh; peak Toubkal (the highest point of the Atlas – 4167 m); the Berber villages of Tafraout and Tiznit, where the inhabitants still walk in national clothes and observe all customs and traditions. Camel excursions are very popular, when tourists are invited to admire the Moroccan part of the Sahara desert, its long sand dunes and flowering oases. Travel starting pointusually the cities of Efrud or Zagora are, from here a small caravan of 3-4 camels, led by a driver, leaves. Slowly you will reach one of the oases, where you will see a wonderfully beautiful sunset, spend the night here, and then meet the dawn.
You can also look at the sand dunes of the Sahara by taking a jeep safari tour. Such tours take on average no more than 10 days with overnight stays in hotels in the cities through which the route is laid. It is best to go on a trip in February or March – during these months there is no sweltering heat and the winds are not so strong. Tourists are accompanied by two guides who, if you wish, can drive the car themselves. The path starts from Marrakesh or Agadir, lies through the Sousse valley, orange and banana plantations, palm groves, includes a pass through the Anti-Atlas, inspection of mountain caves and leads to the sands of the Sahara. You will have to cross the desert along a dry river bed. On the way you will see numerous oases, local villages and nomad camps.
Kasbah Aït Benhaddou
A traditional Moroccan house is made of clay. It is cool in a adobe house in the heat, and besides, clay costs nothing. Not only one-story houses were built from clay in Morocco. In the south of the country, the Berbers have lived for centuries in adobe kasbahs. Some of them look like real fortified cities or castles. The most impressive and well-preserved kasbah – Ait Benhaddou – is located 22 km from the city of Ouarzazate. More than 20 films have been filmed there, such as Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator and Jesus of Nazareth. Kasbah is under the protection of UNESCO.
