Let's discover the beauty of Morocco #12 - A historical and cultural walk in Meknes

Hello everyone!

Yesterday, 18 November, Morocco celebrated its Independence Day, a special day marked by a public holiday. This break gave the city a calm and quiet atmosphere, as many people stayed at home. I decided to take the opportunity to go for a long walk, from the Borj Belkari, a historic tower, to the new Mohammed VI mosque, named after the country's current king. The walk was a fascinating mix of historical discovery and natural beauty!

My walk began at the Borj Belkari, an impressive historic tower in Meknes. This place, steeped in history, bears witness to the city's architectural heritage. This monument, once a strategic point, stands out with its high walls that seem to tell the story of centuries of history. I took the time to admire this beautiful tower.

Borj Belkari, built in the 17th century, is one of the many fortifications erected under the reign of Sultan Moulay Ismail, the great builder of Meknes. This visionary sultan wanted to make Meknes an imperial city! And to achieve this, he surrounded himself with solid structures like this tower, which was used to protect the city and keep an eye on its surroundings. What impresses me are the thick walls! They are made of stones and compacted earth, a local technique called ‘TABIA’, which has enabled these constructions to defy time.

Today, the Borj Belkari is well preserved and forms part of the impressive ramparts that surround most of the city of Meknes. From here, if you climb a little, you'll have a panoramic view of part of the city and its surroundings.

As I take these photos, I can just imagine the guards posted here scanning the horizon, ready to defend the city against any threat!

Over the years, this monument has also been used to store weapons, supplies and even archives.

Before leaving, I walked around the ramparts a bit and took some more photos. But I think one day I must take photos of this site at sunset as it has a special charm at that time of day when the light gilds these ancient walls.

After walking about 300 metres from the Borj Belkari, I arrived at Habs Qara, a legendary underground prison. Unfortunately, I was only able to take photos of the outside, as the inside is currently being renovated. But I promise you that once the work is finished, I'll be back to capture images of the interior, where there are some fascinating and almost unreal features!

After my visit to Habs Qara, I headed for the old town to discover one of the oldest monuments in Meknes: the Al-Kabir Mosque (the Grand Mosque). When I arrived, I saw that the site was being restored. The people in charge of the work initially refused me entry until the work was finished, but after explaining that I was writing articles about Morocco's historic monuments and natural and cultural wonders to share with the HIVE community, they were convinced by my project. They gave me a warm welcome and a sneak preview of the work in progress. 😊

The Great Mosque of Meknes traces its origins back to the time of the Almoravids, before being enlarged by the Almohads, who added a majestic minaret in particular. The minaret was damaged in the earthquake that struck the city in the 13th century. Later, Sultan Moulay Ismail undertook a complete restoration of the mosque, work that lasted two years.

Located in the heart of the medina, in the Qubbat as-Suq district, also known as Hammam Jadid, this mosque boasts features that bear witness to its Almohad era. It boasts 143 arches and a minaret 22 metres high. A fountain in the centre of the courtyard is used for ablutions, adding a touch of serenity to this place of worship.

The Great Mosque of Meknes illustrates the grandeur of Moroccan Islamic architecture, with its rich history and central role in the spiritual and cultural life of the city. It remains a must-see for anyone wishing to explore the heritage and spirit of this historic city.

My route then took me to the new town. On the way, I passed through the historic Lahboul Garden, a historic park about which I have already written a detailed article. If you'd like to read it, you can find it here!

Near the Lahboul Garden, I found a lovely café where I took a break. A good black coffee gave me the energy I needed to continue my walk. The place was so soothing that I would have stayed longer, but more discoveries awaited me.

When I arrived at the boulevard 11 janvier in the new town, I was impressed by the serenity that reigns there. This corner also offers spectacular panoramic views over the old medina of Meknes. From this elevated spot, you can admire the expanse of the old town, with its ancient roofs and minarets rising proudly into the sky.

Taking pleasure in walking almost on my own in this beautiful district, I arrived at this new Mohammed VI mosque. This modern and elegant mosque reflects the alliance between tradition and modernity, an architectural tribute to the current sovereign.

My walk ended here at lunchtime, and on the way back to the taxi rank to get a taxi home I took a few photos near a little garden called the Love garden.

I hope this walk has inspired you to discover or rediscover Meknes, its historical treasures and its natural wealth. I'm always delighted to share these moments with you and I look forward to seeing you in my next article, where I'll take you even further into the beauty of Morocco !

I'd like to thank you warmly for your feedback on my content. I'd also like to thank you for sharing and upvoting. Your support and encouragement motivate me enormously to continue sharing my experiences with you. Thanks to you, I feel inspired to create even more quality content!

Photos taken by my own phone (Samsung Galaxy A04s).