AfricaMorocco

Meknes – What can I say?

By September 24, 2017 2 Comments
Bab Mansour gate

Last time I told you how I took a train from Fez to Meknes in order to take a taxi to Volubilis. Well today I want to finish the story since I got back to Meknes about two hours before my train back to Fez, where Melek was waiting for me. Instead of spending that time in the train station I of course went out and explored the medina of Meknes, which is of course yet another World Heritage Site (that makes three for me in one day, yea!!!!).

Underground prison

Underground prison

This medina is much, much smaller and not as old as Marrakech or Fez, but it does have some cool stuff to see. My first stop was Bab Mansour, which is a gorgeous gate through the wall of the city. The gate is permanently closed, but the gate is huge and breathtaking. You can go through the wall in a much smaller opening to the left, which is what I did to see the prison called Habs Qara. Above ground you can enter a single room building that was nicely decorated and used as a courtroom. From there you go down some stairs and enter a very large room with many columns. I did not see were the huge room was divided, so I guess all the prisoners simply milled around down here.

Medersa Bou Inania

Medersa Bou Inania

Place Hedim is the main square opposite the Bab Mansour gate and is the main gathering place in the medina. On the far side of it you will find Dar Jamai, which is a museum dedicated to the arts of Morocco. The last place I visited was Medersa Bou Inania, which is another beautifully decorated Qur’anic school. Like the other building of the old medinas this was three stories tall and surrounded a courtyard.

Of course, there is more to see in Meknes, but the combination of running out of time and the fact that seeing different medinas were starting to tire me out this is all I saw. With that said I am very glad I took the time to explore Meknes, even the abbreviated visit it was.

Dar Jamai Museum

Typical 1700’s Arab room in the Dar Jamai Museum

2 Comments

  • Shane says:

    Pete & Cherry,

    You don’t know how much I appriciate you reading.

    If you think others will enjoy then please share these post also.

    Thank you,

    Shane

  • Pete and Cherry Stroup says:

    What a great opportunity you are having to see so many beautiful and different places. Thanks so much for sharing the pictures with us. Enjoy.

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