Rabat, capital city of Morocco

 

Hassan Tower

Beautiful architecture in Rabat

Mausoleum of Mohammed V

Rabat, Morocco's capital, rests along the shores of the Bouregreg River and the Atlantic Ocean. It's known for landmarks that speak to its Islamic and French-colonial heritage, including the Kasbah of the Udayas. This Berber-era royal fort is surrounded by formal French-designed gardens and overlooks the ocean. The city's iconic Hassan Tower, a 12th-century minaret, soars above the ruins of a mosque. 

Neighboring the Hassan Tower is the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, named for the 20th-century Moroccan sultan and king interred within its ornate mosaic-covered walls. Lining Rabat's walled medina, a mazelike quarter, are market stalls selling traditional handicrafts, carpets and spices. In the city's modern quarter (Ville Nouvelle), the Archaeological Museum displays a vast collection of ancient statues and other artifacts from throughout Morocco. Among them are finds from Chellah, an Islamic burial ground built atop ancient Roman ruins, which lies just outside modern-day Rabat.

Morocco

Fes- handicrafts

Marrakech- colorful market

Atlas Mountains

Essaouira- port

Rabat- capital city

Sahara Desert- at dawn

 

Casablanca- Rick's Cafe

Magic of the Orient

This summer we entered a world of mystery. Morocco is an initiation into the magic of the Islamic, Arabic, African world of medinas, minarets, desert and mountain, and yet retains a European patina. Imbibe the spirit of Morocco; wander the streets of the great cities.

Fez is a stunning array of medieval buildings; the world-famous souk of Marrakech sells a bewildering array of goods; Casablanca, is a thriving commercial center, and Rabat reflects its modern French origins. The snow-capped Atlas Mountains lie inland. Beyond them are the fringes of the parched Sahara. Whether scaling distant ridges, haggling for exotic artifacts, gazing at ancient wonders or marveling at the pink of a desert dawn, in Morocco, we were mesmerized