Rabat

Our hotel was on the north edge of Rabat. This view from the hotel looks across the Bou Regreg river north toward Salé, Rabat's sister city. The water in the distance is the Atlantic Ocean.

The mausoleum of King Mohammed V was built in 1971 and is lavishly ornate. Every visible surface is decorated, much of it guilded. Inside hang heraldic banners from all the towns and provinces of Morocco. A Koranic scholar is always present reading the Koran out loud.

The King's body lies in an onyx sarcophagus resting on a platform of black marble. The whole deal gives the impression of excess. This is a tribute to the great regard the people of Morocco had for the King who won their independence. The King is revered almost as a saint would be. And it is the embodiment of Moroccan tradition to decorate the interiors of a saint's shrine as lavishly as the community can afford. Judging by this, Rabat is a wealthy community.

The medina in Rabat is surrounded by a thick, high wall. There are several gates through the wall giving access. This is the main gate, Bab Al Had. The gate was constructed relatively recently (1814) by Moulay Sliman and until early this century had a more grisly function. It was decorated with the heads of executed criminals to warn of the dangers of crime.

Seen one medina, seen 'em all? Maybe not, but I have much better medina pictures elsewhere. This greenhouse-like canopy was beautiful, covering a walkway from one souk to the next. Rabat's medina was the most orderly we saw in Morocco. It was laid out in a more or less rectangular plan and was easy to navigate .... difficult to get lost in.

The Oudaïa Kasbah was the main military fortress. Its walls are 10 feet thick and 30 feet high. Named for the Oudaïa, one of the Bedouin Arab tribes in Southern Morocco, the fortress has seen more or less continuous duty since the 11th century. This main gate is the Bab Oudaïa, one of the accepted masterpieces of Moorish architecture. It is impressive, not so much for its size or materials, but rather because of the simplicity and balance of its design.

A narrow twisted street in Salé, Rabat's sister city. Many of the building of Morocco are painted white with light blue at street level. This is not entirely esthetic. The white reflects the sun and helps to control heat. The blue is said to discourage flies.

The interior of a Koranic school in Salé

Another interior view. Inlaid tile designs are a common feature of the Moorish architecture ...

... As are decorated archways and carved designs decorating walls and ceilings.