First published: 28/04/18.

Clyde 3.0

Rabat

Rabat (Inscribed)

Rabat by Clyde

I visited this WHS in April 2018. I used it as my base to cover another 2 WHS along the Atlantic Coast together with Casablanca tWHS before heading towards Tetouan.

I felt that unlike the other medina WHS in Morocco, Rabat's OUV lies more in a series of separate outstanding buildings which help to understand the evolution of Rabat from "historic times" to nowadays. My hotel was situated right next to the Oudaias Kasbah which is best enjoyed at sunset. Sunrise over the neverending hills of tombs leading down to the coast, just behind the kasbah, is very worthwhile if you have time. After sunrise another view worth your time is the view of the kasbah and medina from the right bank of the Bou Regreg river in Salé.

Apart from the medina itself, the true highlights during my visit were the unfinished Hassan Tower juxtaposed with the modern Mausoleum of Mohammad V with its splendid fountains and the interesting Chellah. Sunset is the best time to visit both sites. The Chellah is quite far away from the medina so its best to visit on your way in or out of Rabat. It is a medieval fortified Muslim necropolis with Phoenician, Roman and Muslim elements. The recently restored entrance gate to the Chellah necropolis is already an impressive sight to behold from outside the remparts. Inside the walled necropolis, the ruins of the Chellah sanctuary stand side by side with the Roman ruins of a basilica, walls, traces of mosaics and a funerary stele.

The highlight of the Chellah necropolis ruins is the 13th century minaret with colourful zellig which has been completely 'dominated' by several storks which built their nest on top of it and on top of the crumbling remains of the Mausoleum of Abu Al Hassan (1351) and the adjacent medersa. In 1755, the Lisbon earthquake caused considerable damage to these remains. Behind the medersa most locals head to the Bassin aux Anguiles which was previously used as the mosque's ablution hall. Locals believe that the eels that now reside in it come from a miraculous source which they believe cures infertility. That is why locals feed the eels by throwing boiled eggs in the water. Besides the rather big eels, there's a turtle and a large fish too.

All in all I enjoyed my 3 nights in the Moroccan capital and it can also be used as an alternative hotspot to Meknes/Fes if you hire a car. 

Comments

No comments yet.

Log in to post a comment