Walk along the historic walls of Rabat, Morocco

Hello Hive community!

I hope you all had a great weekend! Yesterday was my birthday... 44 years already! Time flies incredibly fast. The best advice I could give myself, and you too, is to make the most of the present moment. It's all we really have in our hands. What makes the present moment so precious is that it's totally independent of time and numbers. 😊

In this post, I'm going to share with you an unforgettable walk I took along the historic walls of the city of Rabat!

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I began my walk in the Place Bab-Laalou, where you'll find a majestic gateway that, at first glance, bears witness to the refined architecture of the Almohads.

The Almohads were a Berber dynasty who ruled Morocco and much of the Maghreb and Andalusia between the 12th and 13th centuries. They extended their empire from Marrakech in southern Morocco to Spain, and chose the city of Rabat as the country's capital. The Almohads are famous for their exceptional architecture, notably the Koutoubia mosque in Marrakech, and for their contributions to art and science. Their power began to decline after their defeat at the battle of Las Navas de Tolosa in 1212, and they were replaced by the Marinid dynasty in 1269, who made the city of Fes the capital of Morocco.

Bab-Laalou gateway :

What makes this square even more special is this beautiful mosque just a few dozen metres from the historic gateway.

And there is also the ‘Rabita Mohammadia des Oulémas’: a Moroccan association created in 2006 by the King of Morocco Mohammed 6. Its role is to spread an Islam that advocates tolerance and openness. It works to remind people of the essential values of peace and living together at the heart of religion!

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Afterwards, I continued my walk along the Andalusian Wall, built in the early 17th century and stretching for around 1.4 km. With walls averaging 1.65 m thick, the height of this wall varies between 4.90 and 5.50 m.

As I continued my stroll, it only took me a few steps to find myself in the famous Place Bab-Lhad. It's a place bursting with life and energy, where ancient and modern intertwine harmoniously. The square is like a crossroads where different eras seem to meet. What immediately attracted me was a beautiful fountain in the centre of the square. People naturally stop here, either to sit on its edge and relax, or simply to contemplate the surroundings. I let myself be carried away by the peaceful, friendly atmosphere.

Just behind the fountain, there's an impressive view of the historic Bab-Lhad Gate, majestic and imposing!

It is known as Bab-Lhad, which means ‘Sunday Gate’. This name simply comes from the large weekly market that was held nearby, attracting crowds and entertainment every Sunday. It is also one of the few gates that open onto the southern side of the medina (Old Town), along with Bab-Laalou.

This impressive gateway has a long history behind it. It was built at the end of the 12th century during the reign of Yaacoub El Mansour, and restored much later by Sultan Moulay Slimane in 1814. With its architecture steeped in history, Bab-Lhad remains a living witness to Rabat's rich past.

Inside the door, I took the time to observe it from every angle, admiring the details of its architecture. The charm of the place completely enveloped me, and of course I captured the moment with a few photos.

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Behind Bab-Lhad, I stopped a moment longer to admire the beauty of this gateway from this particular angle.

Next door, the traditional central market of the medina, built at the beginning of the 20th century (1928), was the first market to be built in the city of Rabat during the French protectorate. Built on the eastern facade inside the medina, it is also an entry point to the Rabat medina. The Marché Central has undergone a total restoration operation, both within the market itself and in the areas and premises surrounding it!

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Finally, I resume my walk along the Almohad wall, a veritable historical jewel built during the reign of the two famous Almohad sultans, Youssef Al-Mansour and Yacoub Al-Mansour, between 1163 and 1199. Impressive in its dimensions, it stretches for more than 5 km and frames an area of 418 hectares. 2.40 m thick and 7.50 m high, this imposing wall is reinforced by 74 square and long towers.

What also captivated me was the wealth of greenery I found on my walk here. A beautiful combination of nature and history. This harmony between the timeless solidity of the walls and the vitality of the greenery that accompanies them really gives this place an extraordinary and unique charm.

Following this path along the majestic wall, I continued my walk at leisure, enjoying the view and the peaceful atmosphere. After a while of walking, I reached Bab-Rouah (another historic gateway that I wrote about in this post). Continuing on for a few more minutes, I found myself in the charming Agdal district, known for its pleasant atmosphere. There, I decided to take a break and enjoy a delicious oriental lunch in an equally welcoming setting.

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Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed the photos I took on this long walk! I'll see you in a new post! Don't hesitate to leave me your impressions in the comments, take care and see you soon!

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