UNESCO Has regarded the World Heritage Sites in Morocco to be unique in culture and nature. These UNESCO World Heritage Sites are natural histories. That is to say, they present proof of the way early societies lived their daily lives. There are many World Heritage Sites in Morocco that UNESCO has confirmed. Morocco presents a wonderful collection of Heritage sites that are influenced by different cultures and societies. For example, Roman and Portuguese ruins, Islamic Medinas… Thus, all that ensures wonderful UNESCO Sites in Morocco to visit in your Morocco trips. Here is a list of World Heritage Sites in Morocco:
Medina of Fes
Medina of Fes is on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Morocco in 1981. Fes is a cultural and scientific city in Morocco. Its old walled Medina is home to monumental buildings that the Idriss dynasty founded during 808 A.D. Therefore, Medina is famous for being the oldest university of Al- Qarawiyyin. Besides, it is home to religious schools, like the 14th-century Bou Inania and Al Attarin madrasa. Moreover, the Chouara Tannery is the largest of the three tanneries in Fez. Finally, the Medina has many ancient monuments that make it among the world Heritage Sites in Morocco. If you want to start your tours from Fes, you will then visit most of these Unescos sites.
Medina of Marrakech
UNESCO inscribed Medina on the World Heritage list in 1985. Its attractive monuments date back to the 1060s when Almoravids founded Marrakech. Marrakech also takes the names of the Red City. It is because of the red earth that Almoravids used for bricks to construct the city. Marrakech is one of the popular tourist destinations in Morocco. It is a famous square time ( Jemaa El-Fna) an open-air theatre that attracts tourists’ attention. Moreover, Koutoubia Mosque, Gardens, El Badi Palace, and Ben Youssef Madrasa are the main tourist attractions that one has to explore during tours from Marrakech.
Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah
The Kasbah or Fortress. It is a village of adobe houses on the slopes of the Ounila River in the High Atlas Mountains. The houses gather together in a defensive wall that pertains to corner towers and a gate. Hence, the Kasbah also was among the World Heritage Sites in Morocco in 1987. In addition, the kasbah is one of the largest kasbahs that offers the best architectural design in southern Morocco. It is mainly used as a film set where many movies are shot, such as Gladiator, and The Game of Thrones…
Meknes City
The inscription date in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites is 1996. Meknes City is one of the imperial cities of Morocco. The Almoravids founded the city as a military settlement in the 11th century. However, Meknes became the capital of Morocco under Sultan Moulay Ismail (1672-1727). He made it an impressive city in Spanish-Moorish styles, surrounded by high walls and (15M) with great gates. The Islamic and European styles of the 17th century are still visible today. Therefore, its ancient history and impressive monuments make it one of the popular tourist destinations.
Volubilis
Volubilis is an archaeological site that was on the UNESCO list in 1997. It is a Roman site thought to be the capital of the kingdom of Mauritania. It dates back to the 3rd century BC when it was a Berber settlement before the arrival of the Romans. Also, the site is home to old destroyed ruins that have been preserved and survived to this day. It is one of Morocco’s best World Heritage sites because of its rich history.
Medina of Tétouan
The date of the inscription is 1997. Tétouan or the White Dove City is one of the charming towns in Morocco. It has been the main contact point between Morocco and Andalusia since the 8th century. Yet, the town was rebuilt by Andalusian refugees who had been dismissed by the Spanish. The art and the architecture of the Andalusian influence are still apparent today. Tétouan is one of the towns that have been untouched by the subsequent outside influences over the centuries.
Medina of Essaouira
The date of the inscription on the UNESCO list is 2001. The Medina of Essaouira was formerly named Mogador. The name originates from the Phoenician word “Migdol” which means a small fortress. Essaouira has been the main role of an international trading seaport. That is to say, It links Morocco and sub-Saharan Africa with Europe and the rest of the destinations.
Portuguese City of Mazagan
The Portuguese city of Mazagan is now a part of El Jadida city. It was built as a fortified colony on the Atlas coast during the early 16th century. And the Moroccans captured it in 1769. It is on the list of World Heritage sites in Morocco in 2004. It is because of the Renaissance ideals that integrated with Portuguese construction technology. Some of the Portuguese buildings include the cistern and the Church of Assumption. All of that signifies the interchangeable influences between the Moroccan and Portuguese cultures.
Rabat City
The city pertains to the old part that dates back to the 12th century when Almoravids establish the city. However, the new part of the city or the new city was built at the time of the French Protectorate in the 20th century. Besides, Rabat city presents various cultures and monuments of Almohads, Maridins, Phoenicians and Romans. Therefore, UNESCO inscribed Rabat on the World Heritage Sites in Morocco in 2012. check things to do in Rabat.
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