Imperial Cities of Morocco

The very name Morocco conjures up an enduring fascination - geographically close to Europe but culturally, a world apart. Despite the many years of French and Spanish colonial rule, a sense of the past is always present. In Morocco, you are quite literally walking on history. As a backdrop, the country's vast geography is also remarkable: from the Mediterranean coastline, through mountain ranges to the empty wilderness of the Sahara Desert. Roman ruins, Berber kasbahs, superb Islamic architecture and the foothills of the Atlas Mountains are all bathed in a unique shimmering light. You can choose to lose yourself in the narrow winding streets of the old medinas or join the locals amidst the clatter of a busy souk. 





Fez, Meknes, Marrakesh and Rabat - these are the imperial cities of Morocco and all are listed by UNESCO as World Heritage sites. Dating back almost a thousand years, Marrakesh is where Europe, Africa and the Middle East mingle and merge. Perched on the edge of the Sahara Desert and framed by the Atlas Mountains, this ancient trading hub quite simply bursts with intoxicating energy. Marrakesh is also the heartland of the Berbers, who have lived and farmed on this land since Neolithic times. 





Once the haven of Barbary pirates, the current capital, Rabat, shows quite a different side today. The era of French colonisation is reflected in the long palm-lined avenues and elegant early 19th-century architecture. Perched high above the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean, the ancient Kasbah des Oudaïas is the jewel in Rabat's crown. 





Fez is the most ancient of the imperial cities and the true spiritual heart of Morocco. Islamic refugees from neighbouring Spain and Tunisia were some of the first settlers to make their home here when the city was founded in the 9th century. Today you can enjoy the ebb and flow of daily life amidst the intense sights, sounds and scents of the exotic medina or relax by a splashing fountain in a cool, blue-tiled courtyard. 

Moulay Ismail, Morocco's most notorious sultan, made Meknes his capital in the 17th century. A glimpse of the scale and enormity of his lifestyle is evident in the remains of the grandiose architecture. Famed for his excesses, the sultan ordered the construction of the vast, cathedral-like Heri es-Souani just to house his beloved Arabian steeds. 





The imperial cities are not just defined by their history, but also by the rich and contrasting colours of their architecture. Ochre and pink for Marrakesh, the dazzling blue of Rabat, and distinctive but differing shades of yellow for Fez and Meknes.