Discovering Rabat - Sale: Some Points of Interest in nearby Rabat and Sale.

Rabat is not only the capital of the Kingdom Of Morocco, it also has many attractions, which are sometimes overlooked or overshadowed by other destination in the country that have greater visitor focus placed on them. Here are a few suggestions to include in your sightseeing – to whet your appetite:

Kasbah des Oudaias

Enter this Kasbah through the dramatic 12th century elaborately carved gateway. Small laneways run off the main street, Rue Jama, with rustic whitewashed clay buildings. The bottom section of the exterior laneway walls are painted blue to simulate seawater as this discourages mosquitoes. Here is the oldest mosque in Rabat – Mosque el-Atiqa. At the end of the street is the signal platform – Platforme du Sémaphore - with panoramic views over the estuary and across to Salé.

It is here that you can also discover a traditional carpet-making cooperative with just several looms. It is open Tuesday through Friday. The formal Andalusian Gardens, laid out by the French during the colonial period are also within the Kasbah. The palace itself is a grand 17th century structure housing the Musée des Ouida national jewellery museum with a fascinating collection of prehistoric, Roman and Islamic Jewellery from various regions of Morocco.

Le Tour Hassan & Mausoleum of Mohammed V

Rabat’s most famous landmark is Hassan Tower, surrounded by well-tended gardens and the 12th century ruins of an attempt to construct the second-largest mosque of its time. The part-completed edifice was destroyed by an earthquake in 1755 and all that remains is a dramatic forest of broken pillars testifying to the grand plans of Yacoub al-Mansour. The minaret topped out at 44 metres rather than the 60 metres planed by the Sultan.

This is also the site for the marble Mausoleum of Mohammed V. The decoration is intricate and impressive. Visitors are welcome to take photographs of the interior of the mausoleum and the tomb, from the gallery, and are requested to show respect with attire and behaviour. Colourful Royal Guards are in attendance, some mounted on horseback, and make great photo opportunities.

Medina

Just a short stroll from the Kasbah is Rabat’s walled Medina, which is home to the colourful Souk selling a spectrum of traditional wares and newer offerings. A rich mixture of spices, crafts and carpets vie for space with cheap shoes and supposed luxury-branded items. The main street is Rue Souika, but take time to divert to some side laneways where artisans can be found making jewellery, leather goods and metalware. The souk is a fascinating place in which to roam and there are almost no aggressive vendors.

The Souk as-Sebbat specialises in gold jewellery and is not short on bling! The Grand Mosque, a 14th-century Merenid structure, and rebuilt over intervening years, is in this area.
The Jewish quarter – the mellah – has an interesting flea market, and the carpet souk is worth a wander to enjoy the rich patterns and intricate workmanship.

Chellah

Although not in the best of condition these days, the ancient Roman city of Sala Colonia and the Merenid necropolis of Chellah is one of Rabat’s memorable experiences. Build after the Romans took control from the original settlers – the Phoenicians – about AD 40, the city was abandoned in 1154 in favour of Salé. However, in the 14th century, the Merenid Sultan Abou al Hassan Ali built a necropolis on top of the Roman site, surrounding it with the towers and defensive walls that stand today. Although somewhat overgrown, it is an inspirational place in which to roam and contemplate the eons of surrounding history.

From the main gate, a path leads down though fragrant fruit trees and wild flowers to a viewing platform, overlooking the ruins of the Roman city. Some imagination may be needed to make out some of the structures, but mystery is part of the magic of this place. Wander further to the site of the triple-arched Arc de Triomphe, the Jupiter Temple and Pool of the Nymph, which was part of the Roman water distribution system.

Perhaps not of paramount interest for everybody, The Archaeology Museum presents an account of Morocco’s history. Items on display include prehistoric finds such as a beautiful Neolithic rock carving of a man surrounded by concentric circles. Salle des Bronzes could be described as the highpoint of the collection. Statuary, ceramics and artefacts from the Roman settlements at Volubilis, Lixus and Chellah are on display. It is suggested to look out for the beautiful head of Juba II and the exacting realism of the bust of Cato the Younger – both having been discovered at Volubilis.

Pottery Cooperative

Just across the river from Rabat, on the outskirts of Salé is the Complex des Potiers, which produces a vast range of ceramics, varying from domestic pottery to the traditional more-rustic items. If looking for an authentic targine, then this may just be the place to discover it. The potters work to the rear of the display areas, using clay from the rich seam in the surrounding hills. Visitors are welcome to watch as they throw the clay, turn it on kick-wheels then glaze and fire the finished pieces in large kilns. Finer pieces are fired by gas, while the rustic pieces opt for classic kilns fuelled by twigs and leaves from the nearby eucalyptus forests.

Wine Country

Ben Slimane (بن سليمان), formerly Boulhaut, is situated 12 miles/20 kilometers inland from the Atlantic Ocean, between the cities of Rabat and Casablanca. It lies at an elevation of roughly 1,000 feet / 300 metres above sea level, at the edge of the Ziada cork oak forest. A region of low plateaus and valleys that is intensely cultivated near the ocean; cereals, citrus fruits, and grapes are grown it is just a 40-minute drive from LaAmphitrite Palace. This area is home to some boutique vineyards. Cellar Door tastings will introduce visitors to very good Moroccan wines and purchases can be made also.
Visitors are welcomed for wine tastings, usually from Tuesday through Friday.

Discovering Casablanca

Casablanca will always own the image of Bogart and Bergman’s characters – Rick and Ilsa – but although the city has moved on over the past decades, it remains full of contradictions.

On the one hand it is home to frustrating traffic and conjested towns; whilst on the other, it offers wide boulevards, well-kept public parks, fountains and striking colonial architecture. Hispano-Moorish, art-deco and modernist styles vie for attention, while being overshadowed by Casablanca’s modernist landmark; the enormous and incredibly ornate Hassan II Mosque.

The city can be enjoyed in many ways, from a walking tour taking in the best of Casablanca’s art-deco heritage, to indulging in the delicious French-Moroccan cuisine, and joining the trendy set in the bars and clubs along the Boulevard de la Cornish.

The Guest Service Agent at L’Amphitrite Palace will be pleased to make arrangements for a Casablanca excursion through an accredited tour operator.

Further Afield – Marrakech and Fes

A full day or overnight excursion to Marrakech and Fez are great options. From L’Amphitrite Palace, Marrakech is less than three hours by car and four by train. Fes is a slightly longer journey by both modes of transport.

Marrakech is a city in which it is easy to lose any sense of direction. It is full of distractions and labyrinth alleyways that follow no layout logic. This fact becomes reality as you head into the maze of covered market streets – Marrakech’s souks. Be prepared for a snake charmer, a free-wheeling donkey cart and a kaleidoscope of merchandise from silver to leather, and everything in between. Dive in headfirst from any street headed north off the Djemaa el Fna. Within the medina you will also discover ancient palaces, riads and youngsters offering to get you un-lost.

It is worthwhile to extricate yourself from the charms of the old city for dining, drinks, art galleries and fixed-price shopping in the ville nouvelle (the new town). Whatever you choose you do, go with the flow and become an honorary Marrakshi bahja (joyous one) during your visit.

Fes is a very proud and self-confident city with a 1,200-year history. It is the spiritual and cultural centre of the country. Morocco’s independence movement was born here. For visitors, the medina of Fes el-Bali (Old Fez) is the city’s drawcard and was Morocco’s first World heritage site. It is the world’s largest living Islamic medieval city and the biggest car-free urban environment on the planet. Within the medina is a labyrinth of narrow lanes and covered bazaars, food stands, craft workshops, mosques and an endless throng of people. Mules remain the principal form of transport. Once visitors adjust to the pace of the city, Fes reveals its unexpected charms, such as seemingly blind alleys opening up to fountained squares, enclaves of artisans, grand former homes or medersa (theological schools). Getting lost in Fes can actually be fun.