Hello everyone!
Today I'd like to share with you my visit to the town of Moulay Idriss Zarhoun, which is one of the oldest historic towns in Morocco. It's about 30 km from Meknes. I had the opportunity to visit several fascinating places and I can't wait to tell you all about them!
This small town was founded around the tomb of Moulay Idriss I, the first Muslim ruler of Morocco. Moulay Idriss I arrived in Morocco in 789. After fleeing the Hejaz region (now Saudi Arabia) because of political conflicts, he found refuge with the Berber tribe (Morocco's first inhabitants) in the region of Volubilis, an ancient Roman city nearby (I'll be doing a detailed post on Volubilis [OUALILI in Arabic] soon). On 5 February 789, Moulay Idriss I was recognised as king by the Berbers, marking the foundation of the Idrisside dynasty and the establishment of the first independent Moroccan state.
Perched at an altitude of 550 metres, the town offers an exceptional panorama with its green plains and picturesque alleyways. In this post I'm going to explore 6 important parts of this visit:
- The city centre: The vibrant heart of the city
- Moulay Idriss I Mausoleum
- Sentissi Mosque
- Old streets of the Medina
- Panoramic views from the top of a mountain
- The Haroun Arches
My day began in the town centre of Moulay Idriss Zarhoun. The town centre is bustling and full of life, with local markets where people sell their fresh produce and handicrafts. There are various traditional shops and small cafés where you can enjoy a delicious local mint tea while observing the daily life of the town. There's also a beautiful garden called ‘LALLA KHADIJA’ where you can just sit back, relax and enjoy nature!
My second stop was the mausoleum of Moulay Idriss I, a place of great religious and historical importance. The magnificent and extraordinary architecture, with its mosaics and detailed carvings, really caught my attention. The place is adorned with magnificent Islamic motifs and a ceiling decorated with elegant geometric shapes.
Visitors come here to pay their respects to Moulay Idriss I, the founder of the city. It was a moment of calm and reflection, a true sanctuary of peace.
Inside, we are asked to remove our shoes as part of our respect for this sacred place. I felt the serenity and calm that permeate this sacred place. Some visitors pray, others meditate, and I myself took a few moments to meditate and feel an inner peace. The mausoleum was the perfect highlight of my visit to this magnificent city.
Before continuing my article I leave you with these beautiful photos of this incredible mausoleum:
Wow, at last I've arrived at the exact spot where Moulay Idriss I, the founder of the Moroccan state, was buried!
He was buried here in 793 and his death marked the end of his reign and the rise of his son, Idriss II, who went on to lead and consolidate the Idrisid state in Morocco and it was he who founded the great city of FES !
I then visited the Sentissi mosque. This mosque is famous for its impressive architecture! It's a true marvel with centuries of history. What sets this mosque apart from others is its unique cylindrical minaret, a rare feature in Moroccan Islamic architecture!
After exploring the religious sites, I headed for the ancient streets of the Medina. These narrow, winding streets are a veritable labyrinth of charm and history. Personally, I really like the old buildings, with their carved wooden doors and colourful facades. As I wandered around, I discovered local craftsmen working on their traditional trades, such as pottery and ironwork. The atmosphere here is authentic and magical!
I wasn't able to take many photos here because there are a lot of people coming and going and the inhabitants of the Medina generally refuse to take photos of them, and of course that's their right and should be respected, so I wait until there's nobody there and then I take the photo!
At the end of my walk, I decided to climb to an incredible viewpoint perched at the top of a mountain. The climb was a bit steep, but once I reached the top, the reward was breathtaking. The panoramic view of Moulay Idriss Zarhoun was breathtaking. I took a few shots that I hope you'll enjoy.
Sitting alone on a rock, I took a moment to soak up the surrounding beauty. Nature was so pure and life here seemed in perfect harmony with this peaceful environment. It was the perfect place to reflect and appreciate life's simple pleasures. A truly serene moment that I won't soon forget.
On the way down from the mountain back to the city centre to catch a taxi home to Meknes, I came across these imposing arches, known as ‘Haroun's arches’, a series of ancient arches that add a unique character to the place. What struck me was their state of preservation. Despite the centuries that have passed, these arches are still standing, as if proudly resisting the passage of time.
When I stood beneath these arches, I felt a special connection with history. The arches really add a wonderful touch to the landscape, creating a striking contrast between the ancient architecture and the surrounding nature!
This concludes my visit to the town of Moulay Driss Zarhoun. I hope you have enjoyed this trip and have had an insight into the beauty and history of this wonderful city. I highly recommend that if you have the opportunity to be in Morocco that you visit Moulay Driss Zarhoun, feel free to explore the sites and discover all that this unique city has to offer and you will surely not regret it.
Thank you for reading and see you soon for new adventures!
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Photos taken by my own phone (Samsung Galaxy A04s).