World Heritage Identification Number: 793
World Heritage since: 1996
Category: Cultural Heritage
Transboundary Heritage: No
Endangered Heritage: No
Country: 🇲🇦 Morocco
Continent: Africa
UNESCO World Region: Arab States
Map
The Historic City of Meknes: A Blend of Islamic and European Architectural Styles
The Historic City of Meknes, situated in northern central Morocco, is one of the four Imperial cities of the kingdom and the sixth largest city by population. This ancient city, founded in the 11th century by the Almoravids as a military settlement, has a rich history that spans over a millennium. Its most significant period began during the reign of Sultan Ismail Ibn Sharif (1672–1727), who transformed Meknes into a grand city in Spanish-Moorish style.
More to come…UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
Founded in the 11th century by the Almoravids as a military settlement, Meknes became a capital under Sultan Moulay Ismaïl (1672–1727), the founder of the Alawite dynasty. The sultan turned it into a impressive city in Spanish-Moorish style, surrounded by high walls with great doors, where the harmonious blending of the Islamic and European styles of the 17th century Maghreb are still evident today.
UNESCO Justification of the World Heritage Site
The Committee decided to inscribe the Historic City of Meknes under cultural criterion (iv) because it represents in an exceptionally complete and well preserved way the urban fabric and monumental buildings of a 17th century Maghreb capital city which combines elements of Islamic and European design and planning in a harmonious fashion.
Encyclopedia Record: Meknes
Meknes is one of the four Imperial cities of Morocco, located in northern central Morocco and the sixth largest city by population in the kingdom. Founded in the 11th century by the Almoravids as a military settlement, Meknes became the capital of Morocco during the reign of Sultan Ismail Ibn Sharif (1672–1727), son of the founder of the Alaouite dynasty. Sultan Ismail created a massive imperial palace complex and endowed the city with extensive fortifications and monumental gates. The city recorded a population of 551,503 in the 2024 Moroccan census. It is the seat of Meknès Prefecture and an important economic hub in the region of Fès-Meknès.Additional Site Details
Area: Not available
Coordinates: 33.88333 , -5.55833
Image
© Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 3.0 Resized from original. (This derivative is under the same CC BY-SA license.)
