You may be surprised to learn that Morocco is home to more UNESCO World Heritage sites than any other country on the African Continent. Egypt, for example, has only seven compared to Morocco’s nine – and there are a further thirteen sites up for consideration (on the UNESCO tentative list).
Here is a round-up of some of our favourite UNESCO world heritage sites that you might want to plan excursions in Morocco to:
#Ait Benhaddou – Fortified Village (Ksar)
Ait Benhaddou is perhaps the most well-known of Morocco’s fortified villages, known as Ksar’s, due to its high defensive walls and red mudbrick citadel. This extraordinary red clay structure dates back to the 17th century but it has recently been used in many Hollywood Blockbusters as a film set – most notably Gladiator and The Mummy.
The building technique used to create Ait Benhaddou is wet dirt, rubble and straw pressed together and then coated with red mud plaster. It is believed, therefore, that a town has existed on this site since the 11th century with parts of it dating back to 737.
#Essaouira – Coastal Town
Essaouira earned its place on the UNESCO World Heritage list due to its military architecture and medina – but you could be forgiven for thinking that you are in the northwest of France. The coastal city that you see today was designed by Theodore Cornut, a French architect, who used the walled port of Brittney for inspiration.
It was constructed in the 18th century as a strategic harbour as it was within easy reach of Marrakech. It features the Skala du Port overlooking a fishing harbour that hasn’t changed much over the years, while inside its walls lots of colourful shops and markets await to be explored.
#Fes – Ancient Labyrinth
Fes is the oldest of Morrocco’s imperial cities and one that is loved by many people due to the way it captures their imagination. It served as the capital of Morocco until 1925, playing host to a variety of cultures from the Berbers to the Portuguese Muslims and even Arabs over the years. Originally founded in the 9th Century, its heyday was in both the 13th and 14th century.
The core layout of the medina in Fes has changed little over the past one thousand years and you can still experience the maze of alleyways and market stalls as when it was first built. One of the most interesting places to visit in the city are the tanneries where the smell of dye and leather perfumes the air, and you can view a patchwork of colours of leather whichever way you turn.
#Marakech – Street Theatre
Marrakech is known as the most important of Morocco’s imperial cities as it was a very influential trading centre during the 16th century. It was built of red mudbrick in 1062AD and this helped it to earn its nickname of the ‘Red City.’ It has gone through many incarnations over the years, from the capital of Morocco to the centre of hippy travel since the 1960s.
The medina of Marrakech was added to the UNESCO world heritage list in 1985 because of its impressive array of monuments including Ali ben Youssef Emdersa, Bahia Palace, and the Koutoubia Mosque. Within its walls are many courtyard complexes, public baths and souks. At its centre is the main square, the Djemba El-Fna, which some have likened to an open-air theatre with lots of different things competing for your attention.
#Meknes – Imperial City
Meknes is one of the lesser-visited Imperial Cities, but it is included on Hasina Morocco Tours itinerary due to its impressive display of the influence of both Moorish and Spanish design on Moroccan architecture. It was originally founded by a Berber tribe and flourished as a capital in the 17th century when it was under the rule of Sultan Moulay Ismail – who built the 25km long walls that surround it.
Meknes is very close to Fez and is part of our ‘Morrocco’s Major Cities’ tour as we love its relaxed atmosphere and labyrinth of streets and exotic markets. The heart of the city is the Pl el-Hedim square which is entered through the imposing city gates that bear many inscriptions and mosaics.
#Tetouan – White-washed Medina
Tetouan is a perfect example of Andalusian influence and Moorish character, situated between the Rof Mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. Home to the many Andalusian refugees and untouched by any other cultural influence it received UNESCO World Heritage status in 1997.
It is one of Morocco’s smallest walled cities, but it is also one of the only complete ones and its authenticity is one of the things that makes it so appealing.
#Volubis: Roman Ruins
The Roman Ruins in Volubis date back to the 3rd century BC and are said to be the best-preserved archaeological sites in Morocco. It was originally established by the local Berber community and is believed to have been the capital city of their kingdom of Mauretania before it was developed by the Romans. At the height of its popularity, Volaris boasted both a temple and a basilica, but it was turned into an Islamic settlement when the Romans lost control over it. It was thought to have been abandoned in the early 11th Century.
In the late 19th Century, excavations were started at Volubilis and many beautiful mosaics were discovered as part of this work. Many high-status houses and public buildings have now been restored to give people a better idea of what it would have looked like in its heyday.
Here at Hasina Morocco Tours, we love to share the real Morocco with our guests. We create bespoke luxury Morocco tours and the Sahara Desert adventures for solo and group travellers – and tailor everything to your exact requirements. To get in touch with us and start your Moroccan adventure please email us at info@hasinamoroccotours.com
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