10 MAY 2017.DAY 4. PART ONE.- RABAT MOROCCO

10 MAY 2017.DAY 4. PART ONE.- RABAT  MOROCCO.

This is screenshot of Rabat Map.

It shows places of interest we saw​ In Rabat .

Screenshot  map, above, gives limited information. "Interactive Map" gives much more information. For interactive map go here.. OR go to this link https://goo.gl/dEiFuJ

 With this URL Interactive map should open in a new window.

To navigate through this map use the left vertical panel on the map :
1. The size of this map can be increased or decreased as with normal maps.

2. The panel gives contents of the map which are self explanatory.Placing the cursor  on any item,say Royal Palace Rabat in this panel will highlight that item in the interactive map.

3. Click on Royal Palace Rabat in panel it will open an information window in the interactive map giving information about it. If photos about that place have been uploaded they will also show in the information window.

4. Similar action can be repeated for information on all other places given on interactive map.

DAY FOUR.

This was going to be our last day in Morocco.Also going to be a long day.As per plan we had to see Rabat AND Tangier before we leave Morocco For Spain.By a Ferry boat fr om Tarifa in Morocco to Sevelle in Spain.

Started from Hotel Les Almohades.,Casablanca round 0800.The road was quite good.

RABAT

As we entered Rabat we saw a procession Marching along with banners . reminded me of our protest marches in India . Local guide informed us that it was indeed a protest march organised by teachers who were agitating for better pay.Passing through Rabat City got the impression that it appeared to be a well planned and developing city.Finally reached Rabat Palace 

Royal Palace Rabat.

Royal Palace of Rabat.

The Dar al-Makhzen as The Royal Palace is called locally has been the official Residence of Kings of Morocco since 700.Present building was constructed in 1864.
At the time of independence from the French in 1956 and even today,there were/are many properties and palaces of the Kings of Morocco.However Royal Palace at Rabat was selected and declared as the Main Official Residence of the Royal family.This Dar al-Makhzen should not be confused with Royal Place of Tengier which is also called "Dar al-Makhzen".    

Tourist visitors are given entry through the  "Ambassadors Gates"a of two massive entry & exit gates in the boundary walls surrounding the Palace Property.

Ambassador's Gates.

Before the security check gate there is parking and from here one has to walk up to the Royal Place.The way is fairly long through extensive gardens of french design with plants and species of varies plants and trees.For the first time I saw huge "Birds of Paradise" like flowers on a palm like tree.

Vast Palace Gardens.

Vast Palace Gardens.

Vast Palace Gardens.

Vast Palace Gardens.

"Birds of Paradise" flowers on a palm tree.

Finally we approached the Palace proper.There is very vast and large paved parade ground with decorative fountains and Cannons on display.Visitors are not allowed inside the palace.In fact they are not allowed to even cross the parede ground and aproach closer to the palace gate.We had to be satisfied with photos of the gate taken from a distance.

On both sides of the palace gate there are three guards . On the extreme right a guard from the Army , in the center from Police and on the left in white uniform from the personal guards of the King .

Besides the Royal Palace there is accomodation for King's personal guards , his important retainers.Also a Royal School / college for the children of the staff and the Royals and a Mosque.    

In front of the Gate of Royal Palace.

Cannon and fountains.

Decorative fountains and water body.

Mosque and the School.

With this visit to Royal Palace was concluded and we went to the next attraction . In fact two of the Rabat attractions,Hassan Tower and pillers of incomplete Mosque and the  Mausoleum of Mohammed V are colocated in the same area with a common Guard Post of Mounted guards.

 Hassan Tower and Pillers of incomplete Mosque.

Hassan Tower and pillers of incomplete Mosque.

Sultan Yaqub al-Mansur was the Sultan of Morocco from 1160 to 1199.He wanted to build grand mosque with tallest minaret in the world. Work on this grand paln was commenced in 1195.

The minaret was raised to a height of 44 mtrs (140 ft) of intended height 86 mtrs (160 ft).Instead of stairs minaret had a ramp.The ramp was meant for the muezzin to ride a horse to call the devots to the prayer. 

The mosque walls and 200 odd towers were also partially completed by 1199.

With untimely death of Sultan Yaqub al-Mansur in 1199 the work on the project was stopped and was never taken up by the following generations.

Hussain Tower is colocated with Mausoleum of Mohammed V . These two form two of the important tourist attractions of Rabat.

It was declared a World Heritage site in 2012.

Selfie at Hassan Tower and pillers of incomplete Mosque.

Hassan Tower and pillers of incomplete Mosque.

Hassan Tower and pillers of incomplete Mosque.

Hassan Tower and pillers of incomplete Mosque.

Mausoleum of Mohammed V 

Musoleum of Mohammed V

The Mausoleum of Mohammed V is a historical building located on the opposite side of the Hassan Tower on the Yacoub al-Mansour esplanade in Rabat.

SpectacularArchitectural Marval 

The Mohamed V Mausoleum is another attraction in Rabat that is worth the visit. It is not only a perfectly preserved example of the Alaouite dynasty’s architectural style, but it is the final resting place of three significant members of the royal family. Here visitors and locals are able to pay their respect to these leaders and marvel at the detailed and beautifully designed mausoleum. It is both a tomb and a mosque and is one of the few holy places that are open to the public.

King Hassan II commissioned the construction of the Mausoleum of Mohamed V for his late father, Mohamed V, in the year 1962. Construction of the Mohamed V Mausoleum was completed in 1971. Sultan Mohamed V ruled over Morocco for two terms. The first was from the year 1927 to 1953 and again from 1957 to the year 1961. He is remembered and noted for his efforts in the fight for Morocco's independence. Both his sons, King Hassan II and Prince Abdallah, were buried alongside him. It took the hard work of approximately four hundred men to build and complete the mausoleum that now stands as an architectural and historical masterpiece.

The Mausoleum of Mohamed V is located in the Yacoub Al Mansour Square and stands across from the Hassan Tower, another building that was commission by King Hassan II. It is easily recognizable by its white walls and green-tiled roof. The interior has been finished in white marble and granite floors and walls and a beautiful granite block with a headstone indicates the final resting place of the great king. The sliding doors and ceiling have also been carved in breathtaking motifs and designs. Spectacular chandeliers light up the room that is complete with red carpets on the stairs and flags. Throughout the entire mausoleum guests will see traditional artistic techniques combined with a touch of modern design; the design is as it was envisioned by its Vietnamese architect and creator.

This spectacular site and popular attraction in Rabat is an architectural marvel and a monument to a great ruler. Visitors will not be disappointed as it is truly a final resting place fit for a king.(Morocco Channel)

Mounted Guard Post for Hassan Tower and Musoleum of Mohammed V

Close-up Mounted guard.

Guard at the enrtance of Musoleum of Mohammed V

Tombs of Mohammed V,King Hassan II and Prince Abdallah

Beautiful and intricatelly carve and inlaid dome of Musoleum of Mohammed V

Beautiful and intricatelly carve and inlaid roof of Musoleum of Mohammed V

Beautiful and intricatelly carve and inlaid walls of Musoleum of Mohammed V

Decorative huge brass lightshades on both side of the stairs.

Kasba of Oudayas,

One of the gates of Kasba of Oudayas,

Kasbah means Citadle of a North African city containing original city, rathe to call it a village would be more appropriate.

A very unique tradition we found in north African cities and quite a few Europian cities, was that the old structures,houses etc of original old habitations in many cases almost devoid of any population were preserved and maintained in top condition.The streets therein are also in maintained in clean,spick and span state by the Government of the countery/city. This was done purely to make them a tourist attraction.We found that this formula works almost always.

 It is located at the mouth of the Bou Regreg river opposite Salé. The edifice was built in the 12th century during the reign of the Almohad Caliphate (AD 1121-1269). When the Almohads had captured Rabat and destroyed the kasbah of the Almoravid dynasty in the town, they began reconstructing it in AH 544 / AD 1150. They added a palace and a mosque and named it al-Mahdiyya, after their ancestor al-Mahdi Ibn Tumart. After the death of Yaqub al-Mansur (AH 595 / AD 1199) the kasbah was deserted.It was granted World Heritage Status in 2012.

Intircate and beautiful geometric designs on house walls. Damaged now due to being very old.

Typical doors and door knob in Kasbah of the Udayas Rabat.

Beautiful and well maintained Gardens of the Kasbah.

Beautiful and well maintained Gardens of the Kasbah.

On the way out of Kasbah saw these ancient mortars at one of the gates Kasbah.

This was our sight seeimg of Rabat was over we went for lunch at Dar Rabat Restaurant for lunch.Best Moroccon lungh cooked in tagine(earthen cooking pot) we had during our Morocco tour. 

After lunch left for Tangier.

Entrance to Restraurant Dar Rabatia. Had lunch here.

To see ALL photos of Day Four , Rabat AND Tangier go to or pste this URL in address bar https://goo.gl/toKCYa

Next blog on Tangier.