Built in the XIV Century by the Merinid dynasty upon the ruin of the ancient Roman city of Sala Colonia, the Chellah necropolis is located at a distance of two kilometers from the city center, off the Almohad enclosure. According to historians and archeologists, the Chellah site was undoubtedly the most ancient human agglomeration ever set on the estuary of the Bouregreg River. For proof, one can allude to the numerous trading posts founded by the Phoenicians and Carthaginians. Standing on a hilltop which overlooks the river, the Chellah necropolis is a magical space surrounded by a thousand mysteries. Hardly does the visitor walk through the Merinid portal of the city of Chellah, with its octagonal shape, when she immediately plunges into a fairy land where the traces and remnants of the Roman and Merinid empires marvelously mix with each other. A long and pleasant paved road, lined with various trees and odorous flowers meet the visitor. Adorned with polychrome earthenware mosaic,

The Royal Palace The construction of the royal palace of Rabat began in the middle of the 19th century on the ruins of an ancient palace. Also called Dar El Makhzen, majestic and protective, the building is a fine example of Moroccan art. Surrounded by an enclosure, its main entrance overlooks a vast esplanade, the Mechouar, is used for the outdoors royal ceremonies.

Within a fifteen minute walk from the Rabat City Center stands the Casbah of the Oudayas at the Bou Regreg estuary, a real fortress dating back to the XII century. With its monumental Almohade portal, the Kasbah is a gripping site which offers the visitor a never seen before beauty that encompasses the Andalusian style garden, a museum, some riyads and some mosques. The Andalusian influence is omnipresent with the uniformly lime covered walls, the dominant blue colored doors and the wrought iron windows … Inscribed on the World Heritage list by UNESCO, the Kasbah of the Oudayas has become for a good number of both Moroccan and world artists a haven of peace and inspiration. Visitors are seduced by the site’s beauty, just as they are by its soothing calm. Doubtless, the Kasbah’s greatest attraction remains the famous Moorish Café which can be acceded to through the winding streets.

Hassan Tower The Hassan Tower is considered as the symbol of Rabat, it is one of the most famous sites of the kingdom. The Hassan tower remains the only vestige of what was to be, at the instigation of the Almohad sultan Yacoub Al Mansour (12th century), the largest mosque in the Muslim world. This oversized project was not going to survive, at the death of the latter, in the year 1199, nor later, the earthquake of Lisbon in 1755. Only his minaret 44 meters high, very close architecture Koutoubia de Marrakech and the Giralda of Seville survive and give its name to the monument: Hassan Tower.

Right in front of the Hassan Tower stands the mausoleum Mohammed V, a monument of unparalleled beauty. Its construction began in 1962 and ended in 1971. This monument is dedicated to the memory of the late monarch Mohammed V, beloved by the people who have always considered the symbol of the Liberation of the Nation. In the mausoleum one can also see the tomb of his successor, Fire Hassan II and that of his second son, the late Prince Moulay Abdallah. The visit of this monument is a great opportunity to appreciate the true value of traditional Moroccan art. Outside, a magnificent white marble pavilion crowned with green tiles. Inside, the walls completely covered with “zellige”, the ceiling with its motifs and sculptures on plaster and wood extremely refined demonstrate the ingenuity and know-how of the Moroccan master craftsmen.

Back to Casablanca, then board a private vehicle for the (90-km.) trip to cASABLANCA. 1 Hours 20 Minutes