Morocco is a fascinating country that enjoys two seas, several spectacular mountain ranges, a delicious cuisine and an impressive history. Its architecture, its traditions, archaeological sites, religious buildings and impressive souks certainly worth a visit, so here there is a list of some of the countless places in Morocco whose visit is highly recommended.
1.The Jemaa el Fna in Marrakech
The Jemaa el Fna square, dating from the eleventh century, is the main square of Marrakech and the most famous place called the Ocre City. It is one of the largest and liveliest places in the world. Moreover, as noted by the Spanish writer Juan Goytisolo in his article The Arabian Nights of Djemaa el Fna, the square is also "the only place on earth where every day of the year musicians, storytellers, dancers, minstrels and bards act in front of a large crowd and constantly renewing.
The performances of the square are numerous and curious, and include, among others, snake charmers, henna tattoo artists, storytellers, fortune tellers, clerks, transvestite dancers, acrobats, marabouts or spiritual teachers giving their teachings, itinerant dentists, water carriers, Barbary monkey tamers, musicians of all kinds, amusement rides, magicians, merchants of traditional potions.
2. Mosque and Al-Qaraouiyine University of Fez
Al-Qaraouiyine is one of the most important mosques and the oldest university in the world still in operation. Its construction began in 857, but its architecture has evolved and grown through history to become, in the tenth and eleventh centuries, one of the educational centers and one of the first universities in the world. Several renowned personalities studied there, including precursors of Sufism Ibn Hrizim, Abou Madayana or Abdeslam Ben Mchich Alami, the renowned geographer Al Idrissi and Avempace and philosophers Averroes and Maimonides and Ibn Khaldoun, among many others.
Today, the Al-Qaraouiyine is the largest mosque in all of northern Africa, it can accommodate over 20,000 worshipers. Its design is rather austere, with white arches and columns and the floors covered with reed mats instead of the lush carpets exhibited in other famous mosques. The mosque consists of 270 columns that are 16 jets with 21 arches each, a vision that evokes the grandeur and intimacy of a forest of arches, in contrast to the simplicity of design of the niches, pulpit and outer courtyard, decorated with elegant finesse.
3. Volubilis
Volubilis is an ancient Roman city located on the river Khoumane near the imperial city of Meknes and considered by UNESCO as World Heritage of Humanity. The city was mainly to trade in olive oil, which is evidence of the numerous oil presses remains preserved in the ruins. The most spectacular remains are undoubtedly numerous mosaics that decorated the homes of the rich soil. But conservation is rather problematic, since they are exposed to sunlight, wind and visitors can step on them without anything to protect them.
In 1946, excavations have unearthed several bronze busts, among whom was the Cato of Utica. Other remains of the Roman city have been revealed, as it was probably the headquarters Idrid I, just below the Roman walls. In some houses you can see the level of these stately homes, with its atrium, and certain constructions dedicated to the bathroom, especially four of Roman times hypocaust (central heating) and an Arabic hammam period.
4. Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca
The Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca was screened at the site of the former municipal swimming pool. Construction began on 12 July 1986 and was finally inaugurated on 30 August 1993. It is the third largest mosque in the world (after Mecca and Medina), with a courtyard that can accommodate more than 120,000 faithful and a prayer room for more than 25,000 people.
The mosque was built near the sea and its minaret is 210 meters high, making it the highest religious building in the world. It was designed by French architect Michel Pinseau, and built by the best craftsmen in the country, recruited from all corners of the kingdom. In total, the mosque consists of 53,000 square meters of carved and painted wood and more than 10,000 square meters of ceramic. Authorities spent about 575 million of Euros in the construction of the building.
5. Chefchaouen
Chefchaouen, also called Chauen, is a town in the Rif mountains in northern Morocco, just inland from Tangier and Tetouan and over 600 meters. Its name means "horns" in Berber, referring to the two major mountain peaks that dominate and surround the city. It was founded in 1471 as a fortress to protect its people from attacks by the Portuguese and Spanish, and its original settlers were mostly exiled from Al-Andalus.
Chefchaouen is a popular tourist destination, where more than 200 hotels may accommodate the summer visitors, mostly Europeans, who come together to admire the typical whitewashed houses in blues, a tradition that originated from ancient Jewish settlers. This charming town offers excellent shopping opportunities, especially to buy arts and crafts typical of the region, such as wool garments and embroidered linens, and many culinary delicacies.
So I urge you strongly to visit Morocco and not to miss these five spectacular locations, which are the symbols of tradition, history and artistic wealth of the country.
Once in Morocco, you can stay in one of the excellent hotels in Marrakech or, better still, in a typical riads in Marrakech, so close to the most fascinating place in a country that offers a host of captivating adventures. You can also stay in a magnificent villa in Marrakech or closer to rural areas, where the landscapes are spectacular and picturesque, and where the host population will welcome you with open arms.
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