If you have time in Fez, why not visiting Meknes and Volubilis for a day? Meknes was once a capital of the kingdom of Morocco, a powerful leader Moulay Ismail ruled the city. Volubilis is one of the most well preserved Roman ruins in the North Africa, floor mosaics are famous here. And Moulay Idriss is the Morocco’s first Islamic city, still surrounded by a sacred atmosphere.
1) Departure from Fez
We’ll pick you up at your hotel or riad in the morning,
Drive to Meknes, one hour away by car. Getting through peaceful fields in the Middle Atlases.
2) Visit Bab Mansour
Right at the center of the old city, at the entrance of the old medina. The ruler Moulay Ismail built this fascinating gate. The zerij mozaics are amaizing, One of the UNESCO World Heritage sites.
The facade of of Bab Mansour
“Mansour” is the name of the architect, who converted from Christianity to Islam,
3) Visit the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail
Most of the mosques and mausoleums are not open to non Muslims in Morocco, and this is one of the exceptions. The courtyard is so quiet, you’ll instantly understand that you entered a very sacred place.
Entering the courtyard of the Mausoleum
Zerij mosaics on the wall is magnificent.
It’s said the body is inside the coffin.
The coffin room is prohibited to enter but the entrance room is definitely the highlight of this mausoleum. Enjoy the beauty of the Islamic architecture!
4) Drive to Moulay Idriss, walk in the city
Moulay Idriss was once a rival for the ruler of the Muslim Empire in the 8th century and fled to Morocco after being defeated. He established his dynasty here and that’s the beginning of the Islam in Morocco.
The entrance. Non muslims can’t go further.
The Mausoleum of Moulay Idriss is not open to non Muslims, but it still gives you a great impression just by looking at this hallway!
5) Lunch at a local restaurant
6) Visit Volubilis
The Roman ruin Volubilis is 10 to 15 minutes drive away from Moulay Idriss. It is said that Moulay Ismail brought the stones from here to build the Meknes city and many of the Roman buildings were destroyed. Still, you can see the pillars of temples and beautiful mosaic on the floor. This place is also the UNESCO World Heritage site.
Temple of Jupiter. The highest god in the ancient Roman myth.
Basilica walls are one of the highlights of the visit.
Mosaics on the floors are something you should not miss.
7) Back to hotel
Transfer back to your hotel or riad in Fez.
For price and bookings:
English: Moulay Ismail Ibn Sharif (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Moulay Idriss (Morocco (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
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Thanks! We hope more people will visit Meknes!