Sacred Spaces in Morocco: Full Description
October 16 ~ Day 1
CASABLANCA
Casablanca or more affectionately known as Casa has a population of three and a half million and is the largest city and port in Morocco. It's also the biggest city in the Maghreb and the sixth biggest city in the entire continent of Africa. Casablanca is the headquarters and main industrial facilities for leading Moroccan and international companies based in Morocco. Industrial statistics show Casablanca retains its historic position as the main industrial zone of the country.
The area which is today Casablanca was settled by Berbers by at least the 7th century. A small independent kingdom, in the area then named Anfa, arose in the area around that time in response to Arab Muslim rule, and continued until it was conquered by the Almoravids in 1068. Originally modeled after Marseilles when the French landed Casa in 1907, Casa is the most European of Morocco’s cities and is known as a huge metropolis where modernity and tradition co-exist.
HASSAN II MOSQUE
Live it Up in Casa! Begin your 11-Day Journey in the Maghreb with a visit of the Hassan II Mosque. Casablanca is home to the Hassan II Mosque, designed by the French architect Michel Pinseau. The Hassan II Mosque is situated on a promontory looking out to the Atlantic, which can be seen through a gigantic glass floor with room for 25,000 worshippers. Revel at this sight on the Atlantic Ocean and take in its fantastic and ornamental zellij tile work that was laid by some of Morocco’s best craftsman hand by hand.
A further 80,000 can be accommodated in the mosque's courtyard. Its minaret is the world's tallest at 210 meters. Work on the mosque was started in 1980, and was intended to be completed for the 60th birthday of the former Moroccan king, Hassan II, in 1989. However, the building was not inaugurated until 1993. An estimated $800 million was spend on the construction of the building and its majestic space in the Muslim world is known throughout North Africa and the Middle East. The Hassan II Mosque is an enormous architectural masterpiece and the second largest religious building in the world. Tour its famous minaret, dome, royal doors made of marble.
MAUSOLEUM OF MOHAMED V, HASSAN II TOMB & HASSAN TOWER
After lunch the first monuments of great significance and history, which you will pay homage to in Rabat, are the Mausoleum of Mohamed V, the Hassan II Tomb & Hassan Tower. An exterior and interior of greatness, spirituality and one of Morocco’s sacred spaces is the Mausoleum of Mohamed V. This Mausoleum contains the tombs of the Moroccan king and his two sons, late King Hassan II and Prince Abdullah. Located on the opposite side of the Hassan Tower it is considered a masterpiece of the modern Alaouite dynasty architecture.
Glean across the concrete and meticulously tiled area and you will discover the Hassan Tower, also referred to as the “Tour Hassan” and was once intended to be the largest minaret in the world. The Sultan Yacoub al-Mansour (of the Almohad Dynasty, a former Berber, Muslim empire died in 1199 leaving the tower at 44 meters, half it’s original intended size and it’s red sandstone along with the remains of the mosque along with Mausoleum of Mohamed V together form a important complex in this Imperial city. Today the Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohamed V are surrounded by tall obelisk like columns that were taken from the Roman ruins of Waleli– also known as Volubilis and placed there.
With no further ado our group will then take the road to Fes,
the artistic and intellectual capital of Morocco and the largest
contiguous car free urban area in the world.
Arrive in Fes at sunset, check into The Merinides Hotel perched on the hill of Fes with an invitation of magnificent views of the old city, Fes El Bali whose dotted lights shine across the sky in the evening.
October 17 ~ Day 2
FES HISTORICAL TOUR PART I
Your discovery of Fes will begin with a historical tour of its magnificent sites, monuments, mosques and sacred spaces. Fes is one of Morocco’s “Imperial Cities” and comprised of three districts “Fes El Bali” (the old walled city), Fes El ’J’did (the new city and home of the Jewish Mellah), and Ville Nouvelle (the French- created new city). Fes is also a UNESCO World Heritage site and a prized city by Muslims and non-Muslims throughout the global for its grandeur of architecture and tradition of old craftsmanship.
14th CENTURY PALACE GATES
Start your visit at the of the 14th Century Palace Gates of the King whose Brass doors that are engraved by hand shine bright from the lemon juice that is poured across them daily by craftsman cleaners.
LES MERINIDES TOMBS
Next we will drive to the top of the Les Merinides Tombs that offer a view of ancient Fes and are a historical landmark. These ruined Tombs outside the city walls offer a spectacular overview of the ancient maze of streets pierced by white minarets. Give or take a few satellite dishes dotting the rooftops, this is Fes as it looked more than a thousand years ago.
JEWISH MELLAH & SYNAGOGUE
Our adventures in Fes will continue with discovery of the Jewish Mellah. We will start with a visit to one of the oldest Jewish cemeteries in North Africa and the Muslim world, then visit the Em Habanim Synagogue.
Generations of Fassi Jews are buried in the impeccably maintained cemetery, off Bab Lamar. Perfect lines of whitewashed tombs bear the venerable names of Cohen, Danan, Hassarfati and Gabay cascading down the hill toward the main road that is fully gated. In the center of the cemetery is the most recognizable and famous green urn and tomb of the 19th Century martyr, a 17-year old Jewish girl names Siluca who refused to convert to Islam or accept the advances of the Governor of Tangier. As a result her throat was slit and her tomb lies with great respect and admiration for those who chose not to bow down.
As you explore the cemetery you will be astounded by its spiritual presence and the modest Moroccan homes that overlook it’s peaceful. There is an elderly security man who is black as night and has worked outside manning the cemetery for 20 years+. He sits quietly outside and watches as people come to pay their respects, placing stones on tombs that face towards Mecca and admiring the graves of their loved ones, Rabbis and others.
Just a 5 minute walk at the far end of the cemetery we will visit the home of the modest Jewish Em Habanim Synagogue and its remnants of objects, some antique, some frivolous and more new that remain inside as a kind of museum.
SPICE MARKET
The tour will continue with a walk the Fes Spice Market located within the old Jewish Mellah that will fill your senses with the aromatic smells of Cumin, Saffron, Paprika, Pepper, Turmeric, Salt, Oregano, Cinnamon and Rass-el-Hanout - the famous Moroccan spice used in making a traditional Moroccan Tajines. A vision of beauty, the Spice market also has will a colorful array of various qualities of henna (green plant used for painting women’s hands and feet as decoration for marriage and holidays) and other secret Moroccan dried leaves that are used in rituals and daily households.
The architecture of the Jewish Mellah (walled Jewish quarter) is that fascinating as the balconies face forward and are open unlike the Muslim architecture which has all balconies facing in the back. The Jewish Mellah in all cities was always located near the Royal Palace or the residence of the governor to protect the inhabitants and for this reason the architecture is reminiscent of the elegant Hispano-Moorish designs and a reflective of old Spanish Europe. Stroll the streets and take in the history imaging where Jews once lived side by side until they emigrated to Israel in 1948.
BATHA MUSEUM & ANDALUCIAN GARDENS
Just before heading to the famous Batha Museum & Andalucian Gardens we will visit Fes’ Pottery & Zellij Tile Cooperative where you can see how age-old techniques and of hand painted pottery from natural pigment and zellij tile made of Arabic mosaic designs is made with steady hand over patience and fire.
Last stop before lunch will be the Dar Batha Museum & Andalucian Gardens. This museum was once a Moorish palace built by Sultan Moulay al-Hassan in the late 19th Century and it has a remarkable collection of arts and crafts such as leatherworks, embroidery, carpets, jewelry and ceramics. The pottery room is the center point of the mosque. The Dar Bathaa Museum’s Andalucians Garden is beautifully maintained and we will experience it by strolling around its entire grounds that are off the center of a main courtyard.
October 18 ~ Day 3
BAB EL KHEMIS – THURSDAY GATE
Start your visit at Bab El Khemis, The Thursday 17th Century Gate which is one of the most decorative outdoor gates and objects of history in this city rich in olives and wine groves.
AGDAL RESERVOIR
Next visit the Agdal reservoir built by Moulay Ismail, which is Moulay Ismail 2 meters deep and is the entire water source for Meknes.
STABLES OF MEKNES
A short drive from the Agdal reservoir sits the Royal Stables of Meknes that were the vision of Moulay Ismail of the 17th Century who was known as one of the more ruthless leaders of Morocco. Slaves created his magnificent visions for this architectural masterpiece. The Royal Stables in Meknes are an amazing site, as this massive stable yard was constructed to comfortably house no less that twelve thousand of the royal horses. His horses were waited on hand and foot, with a groom and a slave for each horse, to ensure that all their needs were met, stables kept in immaculate condition and his horses being taken care of.
There is a canal that ran fresh water through the stables constantly, so the horses never lacked clean water. Also, the sultan was concerned about the feed supply for his stables, and constructed a granary, known as the Water Palace (Der el Ma), behind the royal stables. To store such large amounts of grain, the granaries needed to be kept cold, and for this, the granaries were constructed with thick walls and a suspended forest was grown on the roof. Water from the reservoir below, was forced through ducts in the floor, to maintain a low temperature and keep the grain from rotting.
The stables are testament to the sultan’s love for his horses and the great lengths he went to, to ensure that they lived comfortably and were well fed. Filmmakers have also marveled at this amazing structure, which led to scenes from the movies Ishtar and The Jewel of the Nile, being filmed here.
MAOUSALEM OF MOULAY ISMAL & MOSQUE
The Mausoleum of Moulay Ismal & Mosque consists of three brightly decorated courts, a mosque, and the tombs of the sultan and his family. A visit to Moulay Ismail’s final resting place is believed to bring baraka—divine blessing. The Mausoleum is where the Berber Wife of the former King Hassan II is buried. The Mausoleum consists of three courts, a mosque and the tombs. This decorative Mausoleum also has a classic grandfather clock that stands in the corner, which was offer by Louis the V of France for his daughter’s hand. Moulay Ismail began building the Mausoleum during his lifetime and one must take his/ her shoes off before entering the tomb of Moulay Ismail.
BAB EL MANSOUR GATE, PLACE EL-HADKIM SQUARE, OLIVE SOUK
Just footsteps away likes the great Bab Mansour Gate, named after the architect, El Mansour, a Christian renegade who converted to Islam. Just inside the gates likes Place El-Hadim is perhaps the centerpiece of the medina, and was once like Djemaa el-Fna Square in Marrakech. The Bab el-Mansour gates are on the south side, and the entrances to the souks on the north.
ROMAN RUINS OF VOLUIBILS - WALELI
Visit the exquisitely placed Roman Ruins of Volubilis also referred to by Moroccans as Walili (Arabic). These ruins were once the administrative center of the province in Roman Africa called Mauretania Tingitana. The Mauritanian capital, founded in the 3rd century B.C. became an important outpost of the Roman Empire and was graced with many fine buildings. It was destroyed by an earthquake in the late fourth century AD and later reoccupied in the sixth century, under the Abbasids. Extensive remains survived and create now what is considered one of the most important archaeological sites in Morocco.
Once occupied by the Romans, Volubilis has been recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site and gained international acclaim when Martin Scorsese made it a feature location for his film, The Last Temptation of Christ.
Begin your visit by discovering the fascinating Roman ruins adorned with beautiful mosaics and colorful tiles depicting Roman mythology. The ruins are spread out across several acres and what remain visible are several fragments of wall, parts of massive columns, the capitol, the basilica and a triumphal arch.
You can view how the Roman Empire transformed the original Carthaginian settlement into a typical Roman city complete with mansions, a town center, a triumphal arc and temples devoted to the Roman gods.
As you walk along the fertile lands of the province your guide will explain how natural commodities such as grain and olive oil were exported to Rome. Volubilis once functioned as a final stop of the Roman imperial roads that went across France, Spain, down Morocco’s northern city of Tangier and eventually into Volubilis. See the amazing channels where water was once transported and explore the open-air museum with remains of altars, sculptural fragments and colorful mosaics. Leaving the open-air museum, you will cross a bridge over the Fertessa stream and wander into an area mixed with houses and industry. Further along, the House of Orpheus displays public apartments and rooms and private rooms decorated with a dolphin mosaic. Above the House of Orpheus, the sand colored ruins of the Capitol and Basilica, the main public buildings, are well visited.
October 19 ~ Day 4
KARIROUINE MOSQUE & MEDERSA BOU INANIA
Visit the Kairouine Mosque and Medersa. It has served as a home for the University of Al-Karaouine for centuries – giving cause for the Guinness Book of World Records to name the university as the ‘oldest existing educational institution in the world’. It boasts incredible architecture and decoration that can be found in every nook and cranny in the Mosque.
The Karaouine Mosque in Morocco (also known as Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque) was founded in 859 by Fatima Al-Fihri, the daughter of Mohammed Al-Fihri who was a wealthy merchant at the time. The family was part of a group of migrants who had made the decision to move from Kairouan in Tunisia to Fes in Morocco in the early 9th century. Both Fatima and her sister were well educated and inherited a large amount of money from their father after his death. Instead of squandering her inheritance of daily trifles, Fatima vowed to spend it all on the building of a mosque that was suitable for the community that she loved. With this well-educated and strong-willed woman at the helm, the project soon grew from being simply a place of worship to a place for religious instruction and political discussion. Over the subsequent decades the syllabus taught at the university continued to grow and grow and in 1957, King Mohammed V introduced the further subjects of chemistry, physics, math and foreign languages. Today almost every subject imaginable is taught at this prestigious and old university, which has made the original Karaouine Mosque the place of fame that it is today. It continues to enjoy patronage from those with political power.
The Kairaouine Mosque became the home of the West's first university and the world's foremost center of learning at the beginning of the second millennium. This put Fes on the map as the heart of intellectual and artistic capital in the world and in Africa.
NEJJARINE MOSQUE
Continue with a short exterior view of the Najjarine Mosque and its worshippers inside.
MAUSOLEUM- ZAOUIA MOULAY IDRISS SHRINE
Explore the Mausoleum- Zaouia Moulay Idriss (Shrine and Sacred Space) and Zaouia Moulay Idriss II. The mausoleum of Zaouia Moulay Idris II is at the foot of the 'Place de Marche Verte'. The building of the shrine began in 1717 and was completed in 1824. It has since become the medina's holiest shrine. The mausoleum has a mosque on its grounds that were used for religious purposes and a tomb for funerals. It is mainly the local Muslim people of Fes who use the mausoleum of Zaouia Moulay Idris II, but visitors who practice the Muslim faith are also welcome. Women specifically the Zaouia it for lighting a candle and as a catalyst in having their good and bad deeds removed or if they are looking for a way to bring luck for marriage, a divorce. Located just outside is a corner space where eggs strewn against the wall by women who are letting their anger go. The mausoleum of Zaouia Moulay Idris was built using an architectural style called Alawi during the time Moulay Ismail was alive. There are wooden bars that surround this area because it is considered the 'holy district'. The six-foot wooden bars indicate to non-Muslim people that this area is out of bounds to them. These bars were originally used to keep Christians, Jews and donkeys out. When you stand at the entrance of the "zaouia" you can see the mosque, shrine, school and a little street that takes you into the sanctuary. By the entrance there are stands full of fruit, vegetables, nuts, candy and objects used in worship available for people entering the shrine of Zaouia Moulay Idriss II.
THE TANNERY
Next venture to one of Fes’ most fascinating places, the Tannery. The Chourara or the Tanner’s Quarters is the most lively and picturesque souks in Fès. The Tanneries are often located near watercourses like the Wadi Fès and at a distance from residential areas due to the strongly unpleasant smells they produce.
WEAVING & CARPET DEMONSTRATION
Weaving Antique and Modern Carpets is one of the places in Fès el Bali where you can see a Berber carpet demonstration. You will be offered mint tea and follow your guide up a coil of stairs to an area to watch carpets being made by young girls who come from the mountains to show how Berber carpets are made.
October 20 ~ Day 5
COFFEE BREAK IN IFRANE
Stop in Ifane to visit the region, enjoy coffee and pastries at one of the upscale local cafes with views of the village. Ifrane is nick named “little Switzerland.”
Ifrane is a ski resort in the Middle Atlas region of Morocco and is part of the Meknès-Tafilalet region. In Tamazight, the regional Berber language, "ifran" means caves. Developed by the French during the protectorate era for their administration due to its Alpine climate, this Moroccan town has a remarkable European style, as if it were an Alpine village. Because of its elevation, the town experiences snow during the winter months and a cool climate during the summer. Among the local tree species are the native Atlas cedar, Scrub oak and the introduced London plane.
The first permanent settlement of the area dates to the 16th century, when a saintly sharîf by the name of Sîdî 'Abd al-Salâm established his community in the Tizguit Valley seven km downstream from the present town. By the mid-17th century the zâwiyah was well enough established to receive an extensive iqtâ' (land grant) from the 'Alâwî sultan Mûlây Rashîd b. Muhammad. While the founder's lineage was ethnically Arab, the inhabitants of the village today mostly speaking Tamazight. (Berber)
October 21 ~ Day 6
MAJORELLE GARDENS
Catch the morning sunlight at the Majorelle Gardens designed by expatriate French artist Jacques Majorelle in 1886 during the Colonial period when Morocco was a protectorate of France. Majorelle is referred to the special shade of cobalt blue that the painter used extensively in the garden, its buildings and in his own work. “Bleu Majorelle” is named after Jacque Majorelle. This stunning garden once owed by Yves Saint-Laurent and Peirre Berge houses the Islamic Museum of Marrakech whose collection includes North African textiles from Saint-Laurents personal collection as well as ceramics, jewelry and paintings by Majorelle.
The Majorelle Garden also houses more then 15-bird species that can only be found in North African along with a plethora of cactus and variety of flowers plus a simply fabulous boutique.
KOUTOUBIA MOSQUE
After visiting the sumptuous Majorelle Garden, head to the Koutoubia Mosque, located directly across from Djemaa El Fna Square – Marrakech’s main square filled with excitement. This minaret was designed and completed during the reign of the Almohad Dynasty and from afar in the night appears as striking as the Washington Monument. It was also a model for the minaret of the Giralda mosque in Seville, Spain and has influenced thousands of church towers in Eastern Europe.
The name Koutoubia is derived from the Arabic al-Koutoubiyyin for a librarian since it used to be surrounded by sellers of manuscripts. Built in the Almohad style the tower is adorned with four copper globes. According to legend, the globes were originally made of purse gold, and were once supposed to have been three globes; the fourth being donated by the wife of Yacoub el-Mansour as compensation for her failure to keep the fast for one day during the month of Ramadan. Legend says that she had her golden jewelry melted down to create the fourth globe.
MAUSEOLEUM OF LALLA ZOHRA
Just beside the Koutoubia Mosque sits a pristine white Mausoleum – tomb without a name. Visit this Mausoleum with great honor and respect, as it is truly a sacred space - of the woman Lalla Zohra, a slave’s daughter who transformed into a dove each night and performed miracles.
BAHIA PALACE
Our next stop will be the Bahia Palace. The Bahia Palace is a set of gardens built in the 19th century and originally intended to be the greatest palace of its time. Bahia means “brilliance.” There is a 2 sacred garden with rooms opening to courtyards. The Bahia Palace was used by Si Moussa, grand vizer of the Sultan for his personal use with his wives. The Bahia Palace has a Harem, which includes a vast court decorated surrounded by rooms that were once used for concubines. This structure tells allot about the Nouvou riche of its time.
JEWISH MELLAH
Last stop is the Jewish Mellah of Marrakech. The old Jewish Quarter was created in the Kasbah area in 1558. The Jewish community at the time enjoyed autonomy although Jews were not allowed to own ay property outside the Mellah – even though they controlled the entire sugar trade. Today there are still approximately 250 Jews living in Marrakech and the majority of them live outside the medina. Visit the old synagogue and the “albino” Rabbi who mans the property.
CHEZ ALI DINNER SHOW - PALMARY
Dinner & Chez Ali Equestrian & Moroccan Music Show in the Palmary. Spend a spectacular evening at the Chez Ali Fantasia – Equestrian Dinner show. Chez Ali is a an excellent family-style experience that includes a three course traditional Moroccan dinner, followed by music from various Arabic and Berber singing groups that showcase the unique style of music performed in villages throughout Morocco. View a show of Berber musicians from the region, Gnaoua and Arabic music. The evening ends with a “fantasia” horse palace and the show, filled with acrobatic style racing.
October 22 ~ Day 7
MENARA GARDENS
Visit of Menara Gardens located to the West of Marrakech just at the Gates of the Atlas Mountains. The Menara Gardens were built in the 12th Century by the Almohed ruler. The name Menara is derived from the “pavilion” which stands high with its small green pyramid like roof. The pavilion was built during the 16th Century and renovated later. Both the pavilion and basin are an artificial lake surrounded by orchards and olive groves. The original intention of the basin was to irrigate the surrounding gardens using a sophisticated system of water that is hydraulic based and conveys water from the Atlas Mountains which lie 30 kilometers outside Marrakech.
October 23 ~ Day 8
OLD MEDINA
The medina of Essaouira is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an excellent example of 18th century architecture. Essaouira was first named after a Muslim Saint by the name of Sidi Mogdoul. Transcribed into Portuguese the name Mogador was established.
This former Portuguese fishing village offers up only a few roadside towns and the occasional Berber village but its heart is in the old city. In the ’60s and ’70s, Essaouira was a pit stop on the hippie trek from Marrakesh. Jimi Hendrix made the pilgrimage, as did Bob Marley and Cat Stevens. Essaouira was the inspiration for Hendrix’s song “Castles Made of Sand”.
Once called Mogador by European sailors and traders, Essaouira is known for its annual laid back lifestyle, a wonderful Skala du Port, Portuguese Ramparts and its annual Gnaoua Music Festival.
ORSON WELLES SQUARE
After lunch visit Orson Welles’ Square and memorial, designed by Samir Mustapha, one of the towns artists, which pays homage to Orson Welles filming of Othello in Essouaria. Essaouira’s history is a reminder of the times when Spain, Portugal and England fought to maintain control over its coasts. It has a typical Portuguese harbor that is a stunning example of Moorish and Portuguese architecture.
JEWISH MELLAH & ANGLICAN CHURCH
Visit the old Jewish Mellah, its bright blue old doors and the first Anglican Church that is set at the end of an old street.
ARTIST GALLERIES- THUYA WOOD WORKSHOPS
In between the windy streets make pit stops at some artist galleries and local stalls that sell a wide array of paintings, pottery and local hand made items such as boxes made of the “thuya” wood, which is indigenous to Essaouira.
October 25 ~ Day 10
MANUELINE PORTUGUESE CISTERN
Take the road to Casablanca up the coast. En route to Casablanca stop in El Jadida (previously known’s at Mazagan) to visit the to visit the old Manueline Portuguese Cistern. This mysterious cistern was used for water storage and lies just footsteps inside the old, rugged medina. Un kept and aging the cistern still has a magical essence to it upon entering as the light shines through in tiny places. Just beyond the cistern is an old Jewish Court and Mausoleum, which is an important part of this old medina that has views of the harbor and Indian fishing boats that have remained there in tact for almost fifty years.