We started our morning at the Royal Palace of Morocco's King Mohammed VI, the latest in a long line of kings and sultan starting in the 8th century. He is noted to be quite a reformer from his father and previous kings, moving Morocco into the modern age.
Next the Hassen Mosque an Tower. Originally build in 1195, what we see today is very different. It was virtually destroyed in the Great Lisbon Earthquake of 1755. What remains are columns and a smaller mini-mosque. What dominates the area though is the great Hassen Tower. It too was started in 1195, but when the Sultan Yacub al-Mansour died in 1199 construction stopped. It was intended to be the largest minaret in the world, it got to half it's height. Now it is sheathed in scaffolding to be freshened up.
Smallish compared to some Mosques we have seen, but very elegant
One of the "side streets", most in the medina were 7-10 feet wide.
Only wide enough for people or a donkey
One of many, many, many spice stalls. Gloria bought a gram of Saffron. Potent stuff.
Building first began of this Roman metropolis in the 3rd century BC. It grew to a population of over 20,000.
About half of Volubilis has been excavated with much of the original mosaic flooring intact. We were told that starting in 2016, they were going to remove the mosaics to a museum. To see them where they were created 2000 years ago will never be possible again.
The remains of an olive press. The olives are crushed below, and compressed above.
I hope you don't mind but Alex sent me your blog link as I really enjoy following your adventures, in particular the photography. The vibrant colors in the market and streets are quite stunning, especially compared to the white/gray backdrop we currently have in Bozeman now.
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