Morocco is a unique African country located in the northwestern part of the continent. Its shores are washed by the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, there are snowy peaks and mountain gorges, a huge sandy expanse of the Sahara and golden beaches of resorts. Numerous sights of Morocco can be seen in ancient cities such as: Marrakech, Casablanca, Fet and Rabat, Meknes and Chefchaouen.
History and religion of Morocco
This African state has a rich history, the roots of which go back to the Arab settlements that appeared here in the 8th-9th centuries on the territory of the Maghreb. In ancient times, the lands of Morocco were inhabited by nomadic tribes who were the ancestors of the Berbers. From the XII century BC. there was a Phoenician colony, which in the VI-V Art. BC. came under the rule of Carthage.
Indigenous people in ancient times were called Libyans, Getuls, Numids, later the Romans called them Berbers. The origin of the name "Moors" originates fromthe Phoenician word "Maura". In the V-VI centuries AD. the northern regions were conquered by the Vandals, later fell under the rule of Byzantium.
And only in the 7th century the territory was included in the Arab Caliphate, the spread of the Muslim religion and the Arabic language took place everywhere, which were accepted by the local population. In the 8th century, Berbers and Arabs jointly conquered the territory of the Iberian Peninsula.
The ancient cities are examples of classical Arab-Berber architecture, featuring fortifications, majestic palaces, mosques and fountains, aqueducts and baths.
Starting from the 15th century, European colonialists (Spanish, Portuguese, British and French) penetrated Morocco, which for many years the locals offered stubborn and often successful resistance. The struggle for the independence of the state continued until the middle of the 20th century. In 1956, national state institutions were created, and the socio-economic, judicial and financial systems were reorganized. Morocco now has a constitutional monarchy.
Examples of medieval architecture, and what to see in Morocco for tourists: the Bahia Palace in Marrakash, the Bab al-Mansour gate in Meknes and other architectural monuments. They are distinguished by exquisite taste, rich decoration and oriental elegance.
Casablanca
The city of Casablanca is located on the site of the old Berber village of Anfa, which was given the name Dar el-Beid ("white house") by Sultan Mohammed Ben-Abdallah. And modernhe received his name from the Spaniards, under whose rule he was for several centuries.
The population of Casablanca, the largest city in Morocco, is 3.5 million inhabitants, and it is rightfully a business center with skyscrapers, its own port, many banks, a modern airport. Mohammed, which is a fine example of modern Moroccan architecture.
One of the attractions of Morocco is the huge mosque of Hassan II, which can accommodate 25 thousand worshipers at the same time. It is the second largest after the mosque in Mecca and the tallest building in Casablanca (its minaret has a height of 200 m). Designed by French architect M. Pinsot by 3,300 workers and craftsmen, it also features a unique retractable roof that transforms the prayer hall into an outdoor terrace in minutes.
It is also different in that it is open to people of non-Muslim religion, which is very important for tourists who want to know in advance what to see in Morocco and where to go.
Not far from the Hassan Mosque are the luxurious Palace of Justice Mahamama do Pasha, as well as the modern church of Notre Dame de Lourdes with beautiful colored stained glass windows.
Marrakech
This ancient city is the heart of the East and the former capital of the Berber Empire and Sultan Yusuf. It is located in the central part of Morocco, at the foot of the Atlas Mountains, it is also called "red" for the color of the clay buildings. Its ancient narrow streets give charm and a peculiar life character, which is inherent inthe city for several centuries.
The city's main marketplace is Jem el-Fna, where musicians and performers regularly perform. Another attraction of Morocco in Marrakesh is the Koutoubia Mosque, not far from which the Menara Gardens are located, the most beautiful and romantic place, according to local residents and visitors.
Dar Si Said Museum looks like a beautiful palace built in the best traditions of Moroccan art. It displays Berber weapons, jewelry, clothing, original cedar furniture and a large collection of carpets that were made by local artisans.
The most popular among tourists is El Badi Palace, built in the early 17th century, which the locals call "incomparable". Its construction was carried out with the money that Marrakech received from Portugal after the defeat in the Battle of the Three Kings in 1578
The masterpiece of Arab-Andalusian architecture in Morocco is the Bahia Palace in Marrakesh, built in the 19th century for viziers and sultans. It has many private rooms decorated with elegant stucco ceilings and instructed wood, a charming patio, a garden with fountains planted with orange, banana and cypress trees. Tourists especially admire the beautiful marble floor of the courtyard, in the center of which there is a fountain, on the sides it is surrounded by covered galleries.
The small museum of Bert Flint, assembled by this Danish art critic, introduces tourists to folk traditions andart that exists in areas of Morocco near the Sahara Desert and the Sousse Valley.
The Majorelle Museum showcases Islamic culture and art to all visitors, housed in the artist's studio and surrounded by a beautiful garden.
Discount
This is a city on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean and the capital of Morocco with a rich history. Many tourists come here every year who dream of relaxing on sandy beaches, playing golf courses or riding horses from the royal stable.
There are many government buildings and embassies of other countries in the capital, and the Moroccan king lives in the royal palace. Here is the main educational institution - the University of Mohammed V.
The old part of the city - Medina - has an ancient history, its narrow streets resemble mountain paths that run between shops and small mosques. Craftsmen and weavers live here, who make carpets, dishes from silver and copper, lace, etc. All this can be bought at the local market. It is fenced off from the new city by a wall erected in the 12th century.
In the capital of Morocco, the attraction is the ancient fortress of Kazbah. The king comes here every Friday for prayer, whose departure ceremony looks very magnificent and bright.
Fes, Morocco
The scientific and cultural capital is the ancient imperial city of Fes, located in the central region of the state. It was here that the prophet Mohammed fled, escaping from Mecca. It is also home to the oldest university inworld, as well as a huge number of mosques (about 800), because in the Middle Ages this city was considered the spiritual capital of Islam.
Territorially it is divided into 3 parts:
- the old medina, the main attraction of Fes, along the perimeter of which a medieval wall was erected, consists of narrow pedestrian streets in which artisans live in the districts;
- Fes-Jdid - the district of the new Medina, where markets, restaurants and countless shops are located;
- New Fez is a modern part with wide avenues, transport stations and an airport.
The city of Fes in Morocco is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Walking along its ancient streets, tourists can see artisans at work, merchants in small shops, minarets and fountains with mosaics, beautiful gardens and squares.
The old and new medinas, surrounded by a wall, have many entrances and exits in the form of colorful Arabic-style stone gates. Another point of interest is the Al-Qaraouine Mosque-University, an ancient religious and educational complex founded in the 9th century. Here is also the tomb of the man who founded the city of Fez - Idris II.
One of the most interesting sights in Morocco, according to tourists, are the dyers in Fez, where tanners process and dye leather in vats according to ancient methods. Only natural dyes are used: henna, turmeric, etc. There are always shops next to them that sell finished leather products.
Chefchaouen
This is the most fabulous Moroccan "blue city", founded in the 15th century by Muslims in the form of a fortress to protect against the Portuguese conquerors. Later, it became a place where Jews expelled from Spain came. Guided by the Talmud, they began to paint their houses in blue and blue shades, the colors of the sky, in order to be closer to the Almighty.
Actually, this is a small village where there are no Jews anymore, but the locals continue to paint their buildings in heavenly colors, which massively attracts tourists here who want to fully appreciate the local flavor to leave their feedback about Morocco and its interesting ancient settlements. They come here from nearby Fez.
Meknes
This is an ancient capital, located 60 km from Fes, on the El Hadjeb mountain plateau. The city of Meknes will interest tourists with the most beautiful city gates that exist in the north of the African continent - Bab al-Mansour. Another attraction of Morocco is the grandiose ruins of the Dar el-Kebir Palace, which were built by Moulay Ismail.
The monumental buildings of the warehouses of Dar el-Ma for storing food surprise and delight with three-meter-thick walls erected to protect against thieves and conquerors. From the terraces of this building, the Agdal pool (4 hectares in area) is clearly visible, used as a reservoir and irrigation of gardens.
Agadir - resort in Morocco
Located in the green and picturesque valley of Sousse, on one sideit has mountains that protect from the sultry air of the Sahara desert, on the other hand, beautiful beaches and the Atlantic coast. Medieval Agadir was conquered by the Portuguese, who built a fort and a trading port here. In 1960, the city was hit by an earthquake, which turned it into piles of dilapidated buildings and stones, but over the past decades it has turned into a modern European-level resort with many cafes and bars, shops and markets. Tourists coming on excursions to Morocco can not only soak up the sandy beaches, but also go in for dynamic surfing and take boat trips.
Tours in Morocco
This African state is considered by tourists to be a colorful mystery that only those who see it and appreciate its beauty and originality can solve. In any travel agency you can find tours to Morocco with visits to cities and interesting sights. Many also offer trips: to the Sahara, to the Urika Valley and the Ouzoud Falls (near Marrakech), to see the Phoenician settlement of Essaouira, jeep tours to the Massa Reserve and other exciting activities.
Morocco is not in vain called the land of the rising sun (El-Maghrib), as well as the fabulous Middle Ages. It is small, but very diverse: here you can find not only civilization, but also the desert sands of the Sahara, the Atlas Mountains, the ocean coast. Only after arriving on an excursion to Morocco, hearing the call to prayer, tasting local delicacies (marshmallow, etc.), wandering around the market and examining the rich handicrafts of local artisans, you canexperience the spicy and fabulous "taste of the East".
