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Morocco Travel specialist
Morocco guide
RABAT, MOROCCO
In Rabat There is blue
everywhere. The intense blue of the sky and the sea. And, nestling
within the protection of the ochre-colored ramparts, a gleaming white
city and a minaret (tower) that reaches up to touch the clouds: this is
Rabat, the capital of Morocco. Rabat has a long history as a
capital city. In the XIIth century, Yacoub el-Mansour, the great
Almohades conqueror chose it to be the symbol of his splendor.
But history had already been made at Rabat. The
Marinades (XIIIth and XIVth century) honored the city by making it the
site of the Chellah necropolis, building on
the ruins of the ancient
Roman town of Sale.
History has left its mark upon Rabat, and Rabat honors those who made
it. As Yacoub el-Mansour is honored with the Hassan tower, dominating
what should have been one of the greatest mosques in the Muslim world,
or the mausoleum of the late King Mohammed V, architect of Moroccan
independence in 1956 and the imposing Royal Palace, residence of the
king and seat of the government since 1912.
THE NECROPOLIS OF CHELLAH
Situated on the site of the ancient city of Sale, the Necropolis
is located 2 km from the city center. Passing through the lovely
door, you will discover a site overtaken by an exuberant
vegetation. You can distinguish tombs and a stone basin
where there are fish and sacred turtles.
It was fed by a miraculous source where, according to legend, a
golden fish lived. Further on, a minaret has partly maintained
its multicolored decor. It is occupied now by storks.
THE
KING MOHAMMED V MAUSOLEUM
Here, everything is luxury and sophistication. The traditional Moroccan
art is put on exhibit : under a gilt cupola made of mahogany and Lebanon
cedar, arises the Royal sarcophagus of Pakistani white onyx (marble).
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THE
KASBAH OF THE OUDAYA
History stops in Rabat and does not leave. It appears on the
corner of an alley, in a stall of oriental slippers and poufs
fragrant with the scent of leather, in a carpet auction. It
impregnates every stone of the Oudaya Kasbah, fortress of
indomitable Andalous Corsairs of XVII century. Nothing is more
pleasurable than imagining their exciting lives, delightfully
installed at the Moorish coffee, savoring gazelle horns
(Moroccan cake) with a mint tea, looking at the boats which
dance in the Bou Regreg river at the bottom of the Sale city
ramparts. |
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La Tour Hassan Hotel
Founded
in 1914, La Tour Hassan Hotel is an integral part of
the history of Rabat, the capital of Morocco original
architectural work. wish to receive in a luxury hotel.
Possible excursions from
Rabat:
Rabat: ˝
day visit of Rabat :
the
Oudayas kasbah (10th cent.) and it's Andalous garden and
museum, Chellah necropolis, exterior of Royal palace and
Mechouar (19th cent.), the Mohamed V mausoleum and the
Hassan tower (12th cent.), the archeological museum, the
consul's street.
***
˝ day to Temara Zoo :
a few
km south-west from Rabat. Many species of wild animals and
birds : Atlas lions, giraffes, panthers, snakes,
***
1 day to Fez :
200
km/124 mi far. Bou Inania Medersa (14th cent.), Attarine
spices souk, Attarine Medersa (14th cent .), Karaouiyne
mosque (9th cent.), dyers souks, Moulay Idriss mausoleum,
the Nejjarine fountain, the Nejjarine souk, the Andalous
mosque (9th cent.), the tanner's quarter, exterior of the
Royal palace, the Mellah Jewish quarter. On the way, you
will admire the numerous imposing gateways richly decorated
such as: Bab Dekakene, Bab Bou Jeloud, Bab Ftouh, Bab
Guissa… Lunch in a Moroccan palace in the medina.
˝
day to Salé & Bouknadel :
5
km/3 mi from Rabat, on the other side of the Bou Regreg
river, visit souk El-Ghesel wool, the Medersa Koranic school
from the 14th century, Oulja's potters' complex in Salé. 15
km/9.4 mi further in Bouknadel visit the exotic gardens and
Belghazi museum
1
day to Casablanca :
100
km/62 mi far : central market, Mohamed V square, United
Nations square and its fountain, Arabe Ligue park, Anfa
residential quarter, Hassan II mosque (optional guided visit
45 mn everyday at 9, 10, 11, 14 H except Friday), the
corniche, Habous quarter and handicrafts shops, Royal palace
(exterior), arts and deco houses. Optional lunch in fish &
seafood restaurants on the corniche. |
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