North of Casablanca, along the Atlantic coast, is Morocco’s capital city of Rabat. The second most important city in the country (behind Casablanca), Rabat is home to the world’s embassies and tourists galore. On its highest hill is the Le Tour Hassan, an enormous minaret built in 1195 originally intended to be the largest and highest in the Muslim world. The project was eventually abandoned at 44 meter tall before completion. In 1755 an earthquake destroyed the mosque leaving only the pillars standing. Alex raced his way through them like pylons and scaled the tower at least one meter.
Opposite the tower is the Mausoleum of Mohammed V where the current king’s father and grandfather are laid to rest and visitors look down onto the tombs from a small room above. The building is intricately carved in white with a green tile roof. Alex preferred to check out the horses guarding the outside walls around the ruins. Other sites we missed include the Kasbah of the Udayas, Chellah Necropolis, and the Royal Palace. Alex will have to wait to check out this old city, the Roman ruins and meet the king on the next trip.
Opposite the tower is the Mausoleum of Mohammed V where the current king’s father and grandfather are laid to rest and visitors look down onto the tombs from a small room above. The building is intricately carved in white with a green tile roof. Alex preferred to check out the horses guarding the outside walls around the ruins. Other sites we missed include the Kasbah of the Udayas, Chellah Necropolis, and the Royal Palace. Alex will have to wait to check out this old city, the Roman ruins and meet the king on the next trip.
