Information on Rabat
The capital of Morocco is a far cry from the hectic warrens of Marrakech and Fez. Rabat is a modern city, with many gardens, wide boulevards and brightly lit with white buildings. However historically it dates back to the 7th century, with a Medina and the Kasbah adding local colour. The King of Morocco resides in the palace in Rabat and as the administrative capital city; it is a serious and conservative place. Luxury abounds with a world-renowned golf course called the Dar Es Salaam Course and as the city sits on the mouth of the Bou Regreg River at the Atlantic coastal plain opposite the city of Sale there are some panoramic beaches complete to holiday experience.
Kasbah des Oudaļas
The Kasbah des Oudaļas was the Alhomad citadel of medieval Rabat and is a source of a variety of historical architecture. Containing the Andalucian gardens, Rabat's oldest mosque (the Kasbah Mosque, which was founded in 1050) and the royal palace, the Kasbah also gives impressive views of the river and sea from a broad terrace. Known as the 'village within the city' the Kasbah des Oudaļas is guarded by an elaborate arched gate, built around 1195 and inside the gate are several forts with gun emplacements guarding the estuary and the beach below.
Address: Kasbah des Oudaias; Telephone: (0) 7 73 15 37
Palace Museum and Gardens
The Royal Palace in Rabat dates back to the 17th century and is located on the Rue Bazzo in the Kasbah. Moulay Ismail built the Palace after defeating the pirate republic of Rabat and taking over the Kasbah with his the Oudaļas garrison, which was a mercenary army formed from a Saharan tribe. Further historical delights are contained within the Museum of Moroccan Arts, which features exhibits in Berber costumes, local carpets and jewellery. The Museum of Moroccan Arts resides within the ornate and classic architecture of the Palace and the Andalucian Gardens are an aromatic treat of bougainvillea, flowerbeds and fragrant herbs, which make up the Palace gardens.
Opening time: Daily 9am to 12pm, and 3pm to 5.30pm; closed Tuesdays
The citadel of Chellah
The ruins of Chellah were once a Roman port and city called Sala Colonia, which was abandoned in 1154 in favour of the city of Sale opposite Rabat. The citadel of Chellah emerges from the boulevards of the Ville Nouvelle of Rabat and contains a rich tapestry of historical relics and architecture. Inside the gate are Roman ruin, including a forum, a temple and a craftsmen's quarter, which date back from 200 BC. The site was also used as a royal burial ground in the time of the Almohads and there are some striking monuments added by Abou El Hassan the Merenid Sultan in the mid 14th century during his reign.
Hassan Mosque
The Hassan Mosque was largely destroyed in an earthquake in 1755 and the building itself was never entirely completed. The original minaret of the mosque is intricately patterned and dates back to 1195; it towers over Rabat and is located at the very centre of the mosque building, which is unusual. The Mausoleum of Mohammed V (inaugurated in 1967) is one of the greatest monuments of modern Morocco and is situated opposite the Hassan Mosque. Entombed in white onyx lies the deceased king, surrounded by royal guards and hundreds of Moroccans paying homage.
Medina
Rabat was originally formed by Andalucian Muslim refugees from Badajoz in Spain and the remains of the original Rabat is now the city's Medina, as the more modern section of the city was built by the French and named the new quarter or Ville Nouvelle in 1912. The old city or Medina contains traditional cafes (foundouks), shops, leather sellers, souvenirs and famed Rabat carpets, in addition to a variety of historical and cultural tourism attractions.
Archaeological Museum
Rabat's Archaeological Museum contains a variety of historical treasures, including Roman bronze dating from the first and second century, which was recovered from a site at Volubilis. Some of the museum pieces unearthed at sites in Morocco include relics from the Phoenician, Roman and Carthaginian eras and settlements around Morocco and Rabat.
Address: 23 Rue Brihi, Ville Nouvelle; Telephone: (0) 7 70 19 19; Opening time: Daily 9am to 11.30am, and 2.30pm to 5.30pm; closed
Tuesdays
Volubilis
Originally a Carthaginian city before it became the central administrative city for the Romans in Africa around the third century BC, Volubilis is situated between Fez and Rabat and it's ruins are near the Moroccan town of Meknes. Inhabited until the 18th century, Volubilis was unique, as after North Africa was lost to the Arabs by the Romans, the Latin language lived on in the areas for several centuries. After being destroyed to provide building materials for the Moulay Ismail palaces in Meknes, a lot of the Roman architectural history and heritage was lost. However today you can still explore the basilica, some well preserved columns, over thirty high quality mosaics and a triumphal arch.
Casablanca
A busy and fast developing port and massive city, Casablanca is highly influenced with a European flavour. Immigrants from rural communities have brought about a population explosion in Casablanca, which has expanded its business and size considerably. The city is modern and with the recent proliferation of shanty towns, it consists of mostly of sky scrapers and wide avenues in the impressive city centre. There is little sign of traditional dress in the inhabitants of Casablanca, however the small Medina contains a more colourful bazaar and like the other Moroccan Medinas contains an insight into the city's history. One of the largest religious monuments in the world and main attraction in Casablanca is the Hassan II Mosque. Elaborately decorated and third largest in the world, the mosque is an impressive sight located on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean.
Temara
Temara is a coastal town just thirteen kilometres (eight miles) from Rabat and is a popular weekend spot for visitors and locals wishing to relax away from the busy city life. Equipped with a long white-sanded beach and many good hotels, restaurants, nightclubs and a variety of leisure activities, Temara also has a zoo and camping facilities available.
