Meknes Things to Do

This tomb is located in the Cemetery to the north eastern part of the city. It is located near Bab jadid, so ask about this gate and head to it. The Mausoleum is interesting and contain a tomb of Sidi ben Issa. Needless to say that I did not take a picture of the interior of the mosque or the tomb. The tomb hall was full of people who are seeking the blessing of the Sidi Ben Issa. So who was Ben Issa?l

He established the Aissaouia Cult and enabled his followers to eat every thing from scorpion to glass and poison. This bizarre action has made this cult very popular and gave it a big following. There is a yearly moussem (May/June) in which the followers will enter into a trans stage and perform all sorts of bizarre things. These actions are outlawed. If you are not a Muslim you won't be allowed to enter the mosque and the tomb.

While I was sitting, women came in Seeking the blessing of the dead man. She pays few Dirhams to of the tomb guardians who start singing in a very comical way. It was so funny that I nearly giggled.

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This is a public place just like DJamee Elfanaa in Marrakesh; it is a shame that it is not used the same way. You'll find non of the atmosphere which is strange. You'd think that some one from Meknas visited Marrakech and said "hmmm we can do the same thing in Meknas". Actually It was very lively in the past but it is not the way any longer.

It has few restaurants on the western wall. Dar Aljamee museum is just to the north. The old Medina is located to the east and the north. Bab Almansour, Mouly Ismail Mausoleum, the Royal Palace is located to the south.

This place was created by Mouly Ismail and he called sahat al hadem WA albena "the place of destruction and building". only alhadem remained in the current name and it means destruction :-)

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This house was built in 1882 by the Prime Minister Mohammed Aljamai. He never got to live in it as he had to relocate to Fes to be next to his nephew king Hassan the first. His brother actually lived in this house until the death of the King Hassan I. Moulay Abdul Aziz who ruled Morocco after the death of his father wasn't very kind to Aljamai brothers (his grand uncles) he imprisoned them in Tetouan and toke over their possessions. This building was used by the French as a hospital in the 1916 (St Lois Hospital) and then used as a governmental building, followed by fine art school and finally into a museum.

The house is very impressive. It has few furnished rooms, a neglected garden, in addition to a collection of display of ceramics, jewellery and the like. The museum is located to the north of Place Elhadem. It will cost you 10 DH to enter. Visiting daily from 9-12 and 3-6 daily closed on Tuesday. Photography not allowed but the house was empty so I was able to take 5 pictures

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This mosque was built by Yousef Ben Tashafin. The Great Moravid Sultan who built Both Marrakish and Meknas. The mosque was renovated during Mohammed Alnasser in 1199 as indicated by the inscription. It has a central court yard and three big prayer halls interconnected. I was able to take 3 pictures from inside the mosque before I was told that I should stop. This mosque is located in front of Madrasat Abou Inan.

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To get from Mouly Ismail mausoleum to Heri Essoari you can take a petit taxi. I didn't, instead I walked for 15 minutes each way. It was mid August and 11 o'clock noon so I don't suppose it will not get more difficult than that. It was a pleasant walk and I read somewhere that Moulay Ismail used to love walking down this road or ride his horses or chariot and I certainly can see why.

You get to see the gates of Royal palace. I toke few pictures of the gates (Not the main one though). The road is located between 2 high walls, the Medina on you left and the Royal Palace to your right when you are heading to the Heri Essoari.

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This place is built by Mouly Ismail. It used to function as a stable for his Horses that were estimated to be 15000 as well as a storage for grains and water. This building was destroyed by an earthquake in 1755 which destroyed many buildings in the city. The first few raw were restored and should give an idea who the entire place looked like. The remaining columns that are fascinating to walk around and photograph. There are plenty of underground channels to store water. This places was a setting for Last Temptation of Christ movie.

You can visit this place daily from 9-12 and 3-6 for 10 dh%*

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This is a 7 Hectare underground hall. Its huge and impressive. It was used a prison and a storage space. The place is huge. There are 3 tunnels heading towards Fes, Mouly Idress and Middle Atlas mountain.

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This was built by Mouly Isamil @ the end of the 17th century. It will cost you 10 dh to visit. The visiting hour from 8:30-noon and 3-6 daily. The ticket is also good to visit the underground prison/storage area.