Hello dear friends of the Hive community,
The day before yesterday morning, I felt like returning to a place I really love here in Meknès: Lalla-Aouda Square. It is a place full of history, memories, ancient walls, and natural beauty. I went there by taking a taxi near my home, just after breakfast. The sky was cloudy, but it wasn't raining. This kind of weather always gives the city a special atmosphere, here in Morocco, it's also very peaceful since it's often sunny throughout the year.
As soon as I arrived at the square, I felt a different energy from my last visit a few months ago. There were more tourists than usual. Many more. Small groups, couples, families, some with guides, others with their phones in hand to film or take photos. It surprised me a bit, but it also pleased me. Seeing this place alive, admired, photographed, reminded me of how much value this place has, not just for us, the residents of Meknès, but also for visitors from around the world.
The Lalla-Aouda square is backed by gigantic walls dating from the 17th century, from the time of Moulay Ismaïl. When you are there, you cannot ignore the weight of history. These walls are made of rammed earth, with that ochre color that changes depending on the daylight. With the gray sky, the color seemed deeper, almost golden in places. It's a setting that takes us back in time. The square itself was once a place for military ceremonies. It was there that the soldiers gathered for major announcements, reviews, or even displays of strength. It is said that Moulay Ismaïl even observed his troops from his nearby palace, through a sort of high window overlooking the square.
While walking, I took the time to admire once again the grand monumental gates that surround the square. These doors are really beautiful. They have magnificent architecture, all in symmetry, with finely crafted patterns. You can feel that they were made to impress, to showcase the sultan's power. Some are still very well preserved, others bear the marks of time, but even these cracks and signs of wear are part of the charm. The walls surrounding the square are enormous. It's hard to imagine how they were built at that time, with so few mechanical means. We walk along these walls, and we feel small, but also protected. It's as if these walls still have a function, even after all these centuries: to remind us of our history, our roots, our heritage.
What I also really liked was the greenery. One doesn't necessarily think of gardens when talking about Lalla-Aouda, but in reality, there are several flower-filled corners, well-trimmed shrubs, palm trees, and plants that add a touch of softness to the decor. The day before yesterday, with the overcast sky, the green of the plants appeared even more vibrant. It was very pleasant to look at, very relaxing too.... All this nature, even discreet, gives a different face to the place. The gardeners do a good job. You can tell that it is maintained with care. And that's important, because a historical place without a minimum of greenery can quickly seem cold or abandoned. There, on the contrary, you feel like sitting down, staying, looking around you.
What also caught my attention was the area dedicated to golf, which has just reopened to the public after a long period of closure. Honestly, I was pleasantly surprised. The field has been well maintained, the grass is well cut, everything is clean and organized. It's a quiet spot, which adds even more charm to the whole place. This space was really missing, and I think it's a good initiative to have made it accessible to everyone. It perfectly complements the peaceful and natural aspect of the place.
As I mentioned earlier, what struck me the most this time was the number of tourists. The last time I came here, there were only a few scattered visitors. This time, it was different. I would say there were a good fifty people, just in the morning. I wondered why this sudden increase. Maybe it's word of mouth, maybe it's the season, or maybe the efforts to restore and enhance the heritage are starting to bear fruit. In any case, it warms the heart. Because this place truly deserves to be discovered, admired, respected.
I also took advantage of a bench, under a tree, to sit down for a bit. It wasn't cold, despite the gray sky. The air was mild. It was a good moment of calm. What I love about these historical places is that when I'm there, I think about all the people who walked on these stones before me, centuries ago. Soldiers, merchants, artists, maybe even poets. You can never really know, but you can feel their presence, in a way.
I left after a good hour and a half walk. It's a place I recommend to anyone who wants to visit Meknès. Thank you for taking the time to read this long post. I hope you liked the photos I took.
See you soon for a new post!
I'm Redwan from Morocco ! I've always had a passion for travelling and discovery. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than exploring new places, whether historical, archaeological or in the heart of nature. Through my blogs, you can discover the hidden gems of Morocco, whether you want to admire the fascinating architecture of a historic site, delve into the legends surrounding an archaeological site, or simply marvel at the beauty of Moroccan nature!
I took all the photos with my own Redmi Note 11 smartphone, and edited them on canva !
