Countries of the World/COUNTRYS.BIN/dp/0251/02510.txt

Text File | 1991-06-25 | 34KB | 701 lines

$Unique_ID{COW02510}
$Pretitle{249}
$Title{Morocco
The Imperial Cities}
$Subtitle{}
$Author{Embassy of Morocco, Washington DC}
$Affiliation{Embassy of Morocco, Washington DC}
$Subject{town
fez
city
century
morocco
still
el
marrakesh
old
river}
$Date{1990}
$Log{Table 1.*0251001.tab
Table 2.*0251002.tab
}
Country:     Morocco
Book:        Welcome to Morocco
Author:      Embassy of Morocco, Washington DC
Affiliation: Embassy of Morocco, Washington DC
Date:        1990

The Imperial Cities

     Four towns that are commonly called "imperial cities" have been
successively capitals: Fez, Meknes, Marrakesh and Rabat. These towns are
special and differ from other cities in Morocco. Their monuments are numerous,
including mosques and "Medersas".

     The social institutions and religious foundations give evidence of the
interest shown by the various succeeding kings of Morocco to these political
and cultural cities. These four cities have played an important role in the
country's history. They still serve as models, repositories of traditional
sciences and as examples of devotion and refined moral values.

     However, each of these four capitals has its own character, due to its
population, geographical situations and the physical nature of its
environment.

     Thus Fez, so reserved that she seems secretive and mysterious, would
never be ambiguous or improper. Even its poorer districts and dark alleys
present the visitor with noble and distinct qualities.

     Rabat remains a model of equilibrium. The old families still recall the
days of Grenada, Seville and Malaga before the "reconquista".

     Since independence diplomatic missions and embassies representing
international institutions have added to the distinguished quality of Rabat as
a great capital.

     Marrakesh dazzles with its colour, its lively crowds, renewed souks, its
palm grove, palaces and gardens that are as austere as they are charming.

Fez

     O Fez! In you are gathered all the beauties of the world. How many are
the blessings and riches that you bestow on your inhabitants.

     Thus was Fez honoured by the poet as the queen of cities, the jewel of
Northern Africa. Throughout history the city has witnessed periods of
prosperity and austerity. It has resisted all the storms and still surprises
us with its prodigious vitality and extraordinarily youthful spirit. Nothing
is disturbed in the blue of its skies and nothing is aggressive in the
exuberance of its vegetation or in the light that bathes its houses, markets
and streets.

     It was founded in about the 9th century. The ancient "medina" is
composed of two towns near Oued Fez that were only joined together in the
11th century under the reign of the Almoravid Sultan Youssef Ben Tachfine.

     The town is at the crossroads of two important trade routes: one leads
to Sijilmassa, the gate of Black Africa, and the other opens to the East and
the rest of the Maghreb.

     The Fez region communicates with the Maghreb through a dip between the
Rif Massif and the Middle Atlas, called the Taza opening. Beyond that
opening stretches the Algero-Moroccan steppe.

     Fez is Idriss's town and the sanctuary of science and etiquette. Having
contemplated the town's founding, Idriss II lifted up his hands and invoked
the Almighty as follows: "O my God! Might this town be one of science and
might it be a place where Your Book shall be recited and Your Commandments be
respected. Might its inhabitants, as long as the town continues to exist, be
faithful to Your Commandments!"

     His prayer was listened to. The great Karaouiuine University has
survived for eleven centuries to perform its duty as a religious and
intellectual centre whose influence transcends Moroccan boundaries.

     The various monuments of Fez are witnesses to its fortunate past. Its
craftsmen, safeguarding venerable traditions transmitted from one generation
to another, devote care and great interest to making articles which are small
works of art.

     Strolling dreamily up and down in the alleys and souks of Fez is a
unique pleasure. Every turn of a street hides a surprise. An old minaret
emerges, burnt by the ever glittering sun, while a square, bathed in shadows
and mysteries, takes the visitor out of time.

     Behind the walls water jets sing and Seville oranges bloom. One has to
unveil one by one the different faces of the town, whose secret gardens and
tiled patios are so welcoming.

     The city is made up of two main districts alongside the Fez River. These
are the "Karaouanais" district in the South-West and the "Andalusians"
district in the North-East. The people of the two districts are similar.
There are patrician families, craftsmen and shopkeepers in both communities,
unified long ago.

     The Merinid Sultans added a third group to the whole in the 14th
century. Fez Jdid (the new Fez) was founded apart, north of the old medina.

     The new district contained the royal palace, the high Makhzen officials
and parts of the troops with their officers.

     The well restored royal palace still serves as a residence to His
Majesty when he visits Fez. The "Mellah", or Jewish district, is adjacent to
the palace.

     Fez is an inexhaustible topic that the many books written about it have
never managed to explain in all its complexity. In Fez, the medina is much
more interesting than the new or European city. Nevertheless, the "Ville
Nouvelle", established in Protectorate days, is a worthy accomplishment, with
its large avenues, modern buildings, cinemas and cafes. Since independence
the Fassi Middle class have built large villas and luxurious hotels.

     One cannot leave Fez without visiting its immediate outskirts: Sefrou,
Bhalil, and most of the thermal springs spoutning from the Middle-Atlas.
Those of Moulay Yacoub, about 20 kilometres away, gush out at a temperature
of about 60 degrees and cure skin diseases and rheumatism. The Sidi Harazem
springs are only 15 kilometres towards the north east on the road to Taza.
The healing properties of these waters have been known since ancient times.

     In the centre of a small valley and in the shade of palm trees a spring
gushes hot water (30 degrees). A small white "Koubba" is easily singled out
of the green background. Pools have been arranged around this rustic
sanctuary. Whether in summer or in winter, children and adults play about in
these pools. The women's pool is behind the Mausoleum. This site, frequently
visited by the inhabitants of Fez, is particularly lively in spring time.

     The resort has for some years now been arranged and modernized. It
includes a comfortable hotel and a factory for bottling Sidi Harazem water,
a product increasingly appreciated as a still table drink.

     Thirty kilometres from the Idrissid capital, Sefrou is hidden away at
the centre of innumerable gardens. Every spring the town celebrates the
cherry festival. The Oued Agai crosses the town, falling over rocks in
waterfalls before reaching the town. These crystal-clear, fresh and
easy-going waters have been known to suddenly change into a furious torrent
and devastate everything in their passage.

     Bhalil, located on an elevated peak, must have served as a guardroom
at the time of the Romans. There had been lights that could be seen from as
far as the Zerboun Massif.

     Bhalil is a big village where there are still cave dwellings. Fez and
its surrounding areas have particularly interesting and attractive features.
However, other capital cities are no less interesting. Situated 60 km east of
Fez, Meknes still preserves the memory of the great Sultan Moulay Ismail.

Meknes

     Founded around the 11th century Meknes entered the history of Morocco
only in the 17th century when Moulay Ismail made it the capital of his
empire.

     The city witnessed many vicissitudes during the Almohad, Merinid and
Saadian eras; it was only with the second Alaouite king (1672-1727) that the
town truly prospered.

     The stylistic unity