"Rabat, the city capital" Rabat by venteeocho

Rabat Travel Guide: 507 reviews and 1,142 photos

There is blue everywhere. The intense blue of the sky and the sea. And, nestling within the protection of the ochre-coloured ramparts, a gleaming white city and a minaret (tower) that reaches up to touch the clouds: this is Rabat, the capital of Morocco.

Rabat has a long history as a capital city. In the XIIth century, Yacoub el-Mansour, the great Almohad conqueror chose it to be the symbol of his splendour. But history had already been made at Rabat. The Merinides (XIIIth and XIVth century) honoured the city by making it the site of the Chellah necropolis, building on the ruins of the ancient Roman town of Salé.

History has left its mark upon Rabat, and Rabat honours those who made it. As Yacoub el-Mansour is honoured with the Hassan tower, dominating what should have been one of the greatest mosques in the Muslim world, or the mausoleum of the late King Mohammed V, architect of Moroccan independence in 1956 and the imposing Royal Palace, residence of the king and seat of the government since 1912.

THE CASBAH OF THE OUDAYA

History stops in Rabat and does not leave. It appears on the corner of an alley, in a stall of oriental slippers and poufs fragrant with the scent of leather, in a carpet auction. It impregnates every stone of the Oudaya Casbah, fortress of indomitable Andalous Corsairs of XVII century. Nothing is more pleasurable than imagining their exciting lives, delightfully installed at the Moorish coffee, savouring gazelle horns (Moroccan cake) with a mint tea, looking at the boats which dance in the Bou Regreg river at the bottom of the Salé city ramparts.

THE KING MOHAMMED V MAUSOLEUM

Here, everything is luxury and sophistication. The traditional Moroccan art is put on exhibit : under a gilt cupola made of mahogany and Lebanon cedar, arises the Royal sarcophagus of Pakistani white onyx (marble).

THE NECROPOLIS OF CHELLAH

Situated on the site of the ancient city of Salé, the Necropolis is located 2 km from the city center. Passing through the lovely door, you will discover a site overtaken by an exuberant vegetation. You can distinguish tombs and a stone basin where there are fish and sacred turtles. It was fed by a miraculous source where, according to legend, a golden fish lived. Further on, a minaret has partly maintained its multicolored decor. It is occupied now by storks.

Last visit to Rabat: Aug 2002
Intro Updated Sep 3, 2005
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Reviews (6)

is fun... Nightlife (1)

Rabat has a couple of places where both Moroccans and foreigners come. These places come both in the shape of bars... more travel advice

many opcions in town... Hotels (1)

Being the capital, Rabat is well-equipped with hotels of most standards. However, if you come here in conjunction with... more travel advice

very international Restaurants (1)

Rabat has one of the more international cuisines of Morocco, and Chinese or European food is far from uncommon.... more travel advice

the heat Warnings and Dangers (1)

Modern Rabat is clean and open, perhaps a bit too hot during the summer . But around it, there are both old Muslim... more travel advice

Off The Beaten Path (1)
islamic architecture

Things to Do (1)
the royal palace

Comments (3)

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chinesemorocco Nov 12, 2007 at 2:11 AM

hi,dear friends, could you tell me something about the bars and pubs in rabat morocco. like address or telephone, thanks
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lonelyBlueSky Mar 7, 2007 at 7:24 AM

Thanks for infs Montana! :)
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JLBG Feb 10, 2005 at 2:18 AM

A short but good page on Rabat. I hope to see more of you !