Meknes: The Speed Of Thought

Some day I will wake up and be able to think my blog entries instantaneously to you. Things that I see from the road can also be snapped and cropped in perfect resolution just by blinking my eyes…but until technology can catch up with the speed of thought, I have to apologize for the days on the road when I go MIA.

But I’m back and today we are in Meknes–some mere 60km outside of Fes and half an hour south of Volubilis, a former capital city of Morocco (until the capital moved to Marrakech) founded by a Berber tribe. The vibe is totally different here than in Fes, more outwardly facing. But that’s just a superficial impression on my part.

One of the key sights in Meknes is the Bab Mansour, an enormous Almohad gate flanked by marble columns taken from Volubilis.

Just across from the gate is a huge open square with entries into other parts of town and markets.

You could also grab a sandwich or drink at one of the many restaurants’ outdoor tables and people watch. So after a quick lunch and mint tea, it’s time to visit the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, the sultan of Meknes who ruled the capital during its golden age. The gate, Bab el-Khemis, that leads to the mausoleum is lovely.

Beyond the doors to the mausoleum, is a fountain followed by series of arched entries into other rooms and courtyards--until you arrive at the inner sanctum, where some of the finest zellij mosaics can be found.

It is deathly calm in here, and I can imagine what a refuge it must be on a scorching summer day. Just across the street from this oasis is an underground prison, where another kind of deathly calm might also be found. But I have no idea as I opt out of visiting it. I’d rather stay here just a bit longer and enjoy my private sanctuary…see you back in Fes tomorrow.

PS: I will post the rest of the photos in a separate post.

01/11/2010