Morocco's medinas: a unique atmosphere
Wander through the winding streets and you will be pleased to discover the magical atmospheres of the medinas.
Mazes
All large old Moroccan cities have two aspects: the medina or old town, and the modern city. In the medina, at the center of every district, are the mosque and the medersa. The houses, tightly packed together, create a multitude of labyrinthine alleyways. The medinas are great places for small storekeepers and craftsmen with their souks or kissarias, specialized markets.
Feast for the senses
The merchant business is a real spectacle for the eyes and ears and the welcome is very warm! And if you buy something, you will be charmed by the humor of the merchants; they are very people-oriented… and business-oriented too! And all this surrounded by the scents of jasmine, orange trees and cumin.
World wealth
Five large medinas have been registered on Unesco's World Heritage list for their architectural richness. In particular Fez medina is home to 143 mosques and Al-Karaouine, reputed to be the oldest university in the world! In Marrakech, you will discover the beauty of the medina's grandiose monuments. The Place Jemaa el-Fna is the most striking symbol of this.
Cities with influences
In Tétouan, the architecture and art testify to strong Andalusian influences. Essaouira is an exceptional example of a fortified city from the end of the 18th century and its medina laid out in a grid pattern is unique. The whole city of Meknès has been classified by Unesco: its medina, in particular with its magnificent 14th -century medersa, deserves a visit.
To remember
A medina is a path twisting through time and space, a unique experience. Astonishingly, the urban planning of these old towns is as exotic as it is familiar…
