Morocco #29 - Morning stroll in Meknes

Hello everyone!

Yesterday, Sunday, the weather was beautiful here in Meknes. So I took the opportunity to go for a long morning walk. It was the perfect opportunity to explore this beautiful city a little more! Today, I'd like to share with you the places I visited and my little discoveries along the way.

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The first thing I did when I left home was to go and have breakfast in a charming restaurant very close to the house. It's a really nice place, perfect for starting the day in a good atmosphere. I opted for a Mexican breakfast! It consisted mainly of a delicious omelette with melting cheese and a few pieces of tasty sausage. A simple yet satisfying combination to get the day off to a good start!

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After finishing my breakfast, I decided to continue my walk in my neighbourhood, MARJANE, located to the west of Meknes. It's a place I really like, with its quiet streets and pleasant atmosphere. As I walked along, I passed one of Morocco's most prestigious higher education establishments: ENSAM. This institution is known for training engineers and researchers in various scientific fields.

The school offers high-quality multidisciplinary training that combines theory and practice, enabling its graduates to integrate easily into the professional world. The programmes are varied and cover fields such as mechanical, electrical, civil and industrial engineering. As well as technical subjects, the school emphasises personal development and cross-disciplinary skills, such as project management, communication and the ability to work in a team.

Every time I see it, I think of the impact it is having on the country's future, preparing young people to meet technological and scientific challenges.

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I then took a taxi to the east of the city, to the magnificent Place La Cornette. This place has a special charm, and it was there that I did my daily walking session. I usually prefer to walk on an empty stomach, but yesterday I was really hungry. It's probably because I hadn't had any dinner the night before, so my first task on leaving the house was to have a good breakfast!

The Place Cornette was shaped during the French protectorate in Morocco over a century ago. The architecture of the square is a subtle blend of European and Moroccan influences, with buildings in the French style, but also incorporating traditional Moroccan elements. Although the decor has changed slightly in this square, you can still see traces of its colonial past.

As I wandered around the square, my attention was drawn once again to an old abandoned house on this spot. I don't know why, but this building always attracts me. Every time I come here, I stop for a moment to observe and contemplate it. There's something about its architecture and mysterious air that intrigues me and makes me dream of what it might once have been.

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Once my walking session was over, I decided to stop off at a café to enjoy my favourite cup of coffee. I sat down on the terrace, and I have to say that the view from up there was magnificent. You could see the whole of Place La Cornette below, a truly soothing sight.

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Right at the foot of the café, there was a ‘GARRAB!’......

The term ‘GARRAB’ refers to a traditional Moroccan character, often seen as generous and committed to the values of hospitality and sharing. In Morocco, the GARRAB is generally a man who, often in rural areas or in the souks, offers water to passers-by, sometimes informally, as a sign of his benevolence and solidarity.

In some regions, particularly in large cities such as Marrakech, Fes, Rabat, Tangiers ..., people called Garrabeen play this symbolic role, carrying a flask of tea or water and generously offering it to people. Offering a drink in Moroccan culture, especially in hot weather, is a deeply respectful gesture, steeped in the tradition of hospitality.

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After finishing my cup of coffee, I continued my stroll by heading towards a neighbourhood next to Place La Cornette. This area, which the locals call Hay Drouj (the staircase district), lives up to its name! Situated on a slope, it is famous for the many staircases that wind between the narrow streets.

In the heart of this picturesque district, I discovered a magnificent mosque, nestling among the houses. Its simple yet elegant architecture exuded a soothing serenity. As I walked past, I took a moment to admire the details, particularly the minaret, which seemed to watch over the neighbourhood.

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My last stop on this walk was the city centre. I took a taxi to get there, and as always, I really enjoyed the Sunday atmosphere. The city centre is particularly quiet on this day. There are no crowds or traffic jams!

The city centre of Meknes, known as Hamria, is a veritable blend of history and modernity. It was designed by the French at the beginning of the 20th century, when they set about building a new town to replace some of the old structures and meet the growing needs of the population at the time. At that time, Hamria became a vibrant centre of life, with modern buildings, wide streets and architecture that reflected the European influences of the time.

But after Moroccan independence, the people of Meknes managed to preserve the essence of the district while adding their own Moroccan touch. It's a fascinating place, both modern and authentic.

As I walked along, I passed the Conservatoire de Musique, located on the Place des Nîmes, right next to the Banque du Maroc. This building has always fascinated me, because it embodies a certain elegance and symbolises the importance of art and culture in our city. Every time I see it, I imagine the melodies resonating inside, played by passionate students practising.

Founded in the 1980s, the Conservatoire de Musique de Meknès aims to preserve and promote traditional Moroccan music, while offering high-quality training in a variety of musical styles.

I loved these drawings on the wall at the back of the music conservatory:

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Finally, from the city centre, I took a taxi back to my neighbourhood. Before heading home, I stopped off at a supermarket to buy a few essentials. Once I'd done my shopping, I headed home, tired but satisfied with this beautiful day.

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I hope you enjoyed this walk, and the photos I took to share with you. Tomorrow I plan to travel to Rabat, the capital of Morocco, situated in the far west of the kingdom. I plan to explore some of its beautiful places and, of course, I'll be sharing these discoveries with you in the days to come.

Take care, and see you soon for more posts!

I'm Redwan from Morocco, a country rich in history, culture and natural landscapes! I've always had a passion for travelling and discovery. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than exploring new places, whether historical, archaeological or in the heart of nature. Through my blogs, you can discover the hidden gems of Morocco, whether you want to admire the fascinating architecture of a historic site, delve into the legends surrounding an archaeological site, or simply marvel at the beauty of Moroccan nature!

Photos taken by my own phone (Samsung Galaxy A04s).