Hello my friends,
Today, I'd like to take you on a beautiful walk through the city of Rabat. It's a city with so much to offer, from its rich history to its varied landscapes. In this post, we're going to discover two places that have made a particular impression on me.
The first place I'm going to introduce you to is the charming Andalusian garden, which is very close to the historic Oudayas. This garden is perfect for relaxing and admiring the beauty of nature in the heart of a site steeped in history. It's a place where you can let yourself be carried away by an Andalusian atmosphere that seems to come from another era.
Next, we'll set off to discover a small archaeological site called Ribat Tachfin. This site, which is less well known than some of the city's other monuments, is just a short distance from the Andalusian Garden. Although modest in size, it exudes a special charm and bears witness to an important period in the history of Morocco and Rabat in particular. It's an ideal place for the curious and history buffs, or simply for those who like to explore quiet, authentic places.
Andalusian garden
This magnificent Andalusian garden is located directly opposite the historic Dar El Makhzen building, which dates back to the 17th century and was once the official residence of the Sultan (King). This oasis has been designed in pure Andalusian style, with an elegant fountain at its centre, surrounded by orange trees and aromatic plants. It combines simplicity and refinement, recalling the splendour of the famous Alhambra Palace in Granada.
In 1919, Jean-Claude Nicolas Forestier, renowned for his landscaping work, redesigned the gardens, drawing on his experience in Seville, where he had studied the principles of Andalusian gardens, particularly those of the Alhambra Palace.
The area inside the ramparts was redesigned to include shallow pools and paths lined with white lime, with touches of orange trees, aromatic plants, roses and bright flowers. Even today, these elements continue to mark the garden's identity, and they also adorn the central flowerbeds and stone ponds at the foot of the surrounding buildings. The garden evokes the spirit of traditional Moroccan riads, with a typically Andalusian harmony.
Strolling along the well-ordered paths and admiring the arrangement of plants and flowers, you'll feel a veritable symphony of colours and scents. This garden is much more than just a green space: it's a place to live, a place full of memories and encounters. It has been a constant companion to the town's residents and visitors for over a century. In 2012, this jewel was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in recognition of its inestimable historical and cultural value.
As I was walking through the garden, I came across a door through which people were coming and going. Curious, I walked over to see what was on the other side. And what a surprise! A charming traditional café with a breathtaking view of the sea. Impossible to resist, I settled down to enjoy a glass of mint tea accompanied by some delicious Moroccan cakes. A real moment of happiness!
As I was leaving the garden to go to the Ribat Tachfin archaeological site, I came across this pretty little cannon standing by the exit gate!
Archaeological site : Ribat Tachfin
This fascinating site was discovered in 2001, almost by chance, during the construction of a car park. Archaeological digs were subsequently carried out, the most recent in 2007.
These revealed impressive remains covering an area of around 36,655 square metres. Traces of several structures have been found on the site, including an enclosure wall, a fortress (or palace), a monumental gateway and a warehouse.
This site tells an essential page in the history of the city of Rabat, especially between the heyday of the Almoravids and the beginnings of the Almohad period, in the middle of the 12ᵉ century. During the Almoravid period, a palace had been built here, which some called the Palace of the Banou-Tachfin or the Ribat-Tachfin.
However, during the Almohad era, this palace was destroyed to make way for an imposing fortress, built around the year 1150. Later, this fortress was itself demolished to make way for other facilities, parts of which can still be seen today.
I'm delighted to share these two treasures of Rabat with you! And I hope you enjoyed the walk I took! If you ever visit Rabat, don't forget to visit this exceptional garden and sample the wonders of Moroccan cuisine in the café inside, as well as discovering the Ribat Tachfin archaeological site right next door. See you soon for another post!
Photos taken by my own phone (Samsung Galaxy A04s).
