Meknes
The Ismaili Capital — Monumental Gates, Roman Ruins, and Meknes Olive Oil
About Meknes
Welcome to Meknes
Meknes is considered one of the oldest imperial cities in Morocco. It was founded by the Amazigh Zenata tribe of Meknassa (Imknassen), which is believed to be the same tribe referred to in Greek and Latin texts as the “Meknites.” Regarding the origins of the city, some historians date its foundation back to the 4th century BCE, while the historian Al-Zayani traces its earliest beginnings to the pre-Islamic period without specifying an exact date. The author of Al-Istiqsa shares this opinion, classifying Meknes among the ancient Moroccan cities built by the Amazigh people before Islam. In the same context, Ibn Zidan states that the planning of Meknassa was established before Islam and before the Roman period.
There are also later accounts regarding the foundation period that emphasize the antiquity and prominence of Meknassa as a city by the beginning of the 3rd century AH / 9th century CE. Historical sources describe it as one of the important urban centers assigned to the Prince Mohamed Ben Idriss 2nd after the territorial division carried out by Prince Mohamed Ben Idriss 2nd upon the recommendation of his grandmother Kenza.
Meknes became a flourishing urban center with the arrival of the Almoravid Dynasty. During their rule, the city prospered and several neighborhoods emerged, most notably the Almoravid kasbah of “Takrart.” They also built the Nejjarine Mosque and surrounded the city with walls toward the end of their reign. The neighborhood that still exists near the Nejjarine Mosque is considered the oldest district in the city.
Under the Almohad Caliphate, Meknes experienced major urban expansion. The Great Mosque was enlarged during the reign of Mohammed al-Nasir between 1199 and 1213 CE, and the city was supplied with water through an advanced hydraulic system originating from the spring of “Takma” to meet the needs of baths, mosques, and fountains.
The Marinid Dynasty also paid special attention to the city by building mosques, madrasas, and zawiyas, and by making it a seat of government administration. Meknes reached its peak as the capital of imperial Morocco during the reign of Sultan Moulay Ismail between 1672 and 1727. From this period comes its famous title: “The Ismaili Capital” or “The Ismaili Metropolis.”
Meknes is considered one of the major economic hubs in central Morocco. Its economy is based on agriculture, agri-food industries, trade, services, and tourism linked to its historical and cultural heritage. Its strategic geographical location has strengthened its role as an important economic and commercial center.
Meknes is renowned as one of Morocco’s leading agricultural regions thanks to its fertile plains and favorable climate. It produces cereals, olives, grapes, fruits, and vegetables. The city is also famous for the quality of its olive oil production and hosts several industrial units dedicated to agricultural processing and food industries.
Meknes is the sixth-largest city in Morocco and has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. Tourism also contributes significantly to the local economy, as the city attracts visitors through its remarkable historical monuments, including Bab Mansour, Place El Hedim, Sahrij Swani, Heri es-Souani, Great Mosque of Meknes, Habs Qara, Bab Berdaine, Bab Khemis, Bou Inania Madrasa, Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, and Qubbat as-Sufara.
Why Visit Meknes?
- Bab Mansour: The monumental entry gate to Moulay Ismail's imperial city — arguably Morocco's greatest single gateway
- Heri es-Souani: The colossal royal granaries and stables, a massive industrial infrastructure of vaulted chambers and tanks
- Sahrij Souani: The royal reservoir — a vast artificial lake that still fills with water and which was the hydraulic heart of the imperial city
- Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail: One of Morocco's few mausoleums accessible to non-Muslims — an exquisite interior of zellige and carved stucco around the sultan's tomb
- Bou Inania Medersa: A 14th-century Marinid madrasa of exceptional tile and woodwork craftsmanship
- Volubilis (33 km): One of North Africa's best-preserved Roman cities, with in-situ floor mosaics, the Triumphal Arch, and the Capitol
Quick Info
Location
Morocco
Attractions
38 places to visit
Average Rating
4.3 / 5
Best Time to Visit
March - May, September - November (mild temperatures; avoid July - August heat)
Population
942,945
Region
Fès-Meknès
From an Amazigh tribe to an Imperial Capital
Pre-Islamic Roots and the Idrisid Era
The site of Meknes has been inhabited since ancient times, and the city’s name is believed to derive from the Meknassa, the Amazigh tribe associated with the region. Between the 8th and 10th centuries, the Idrisids established the first nucleus of settlement here. Meknes later developed under successive Moroccan dynasties — the Almoravids, Almohads, and Marinids — gradually acquiring a strong urban structure that included the magnificent Bou Inania Madrasa, built by the Marinid Sultan Abu Inan in 1358.
Moulay Ismail and the Ismaili Imperial Capital (1672–1727)
Meknes rose to become one of the great capitals of the Islamic world under Sultan Moulay Ismail, the second ruler of the Alaouite dynasty, who came to power in 1672 and reigned for 55 years. Choosing Meknes over Morocco’s established imperial capitals, he launched an extraordinary architectural program employing tens of thousands of workers and Christian captives. He created the Imperial City, a vast walled complex containing palaces, mosques, stables, granaries, parade grounds, and a massive reservoir, designed to receive foreign ambassadors and display the grandeur of the Moroccan state.
Moulay Ismail’s ambitions were European in scale, both in architectural scope and political representation. Some European travelers compared Meknes to Versailles, expressing their genuine amazement. The Sultan’s diplomatic correspondence with Louis XIV was conducted on equal footing between the two courts, reflecting the confidence of the Moroccan state during its imperial zenith.
The Colonial and Modern Period
During the French Protectorate, a new city was built alongside the old medina. Meknes became an agricultural service center for the fertile Meknes plain and gained particular renown for olive oil production; the region remains one of Morocco’s leading olive-growing areas today. After independence, the city continued its urban expansion, and its population now exceeds 940,000 inhabitants.
Things to Do in Meknes
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