https://ph.trip.com/moments/detail/meknes-21761-127178857?locale=en-PH
EmberSilvers0ng_68Singapore

Morocco's Versailles - Meknes

It was a coincidence that Sultan Moulay Ismail and King Louis XIV of France built a city in the wilderness at the same time. The former was located on a wooded hill about 70 km west of Fes, now known as Meknes, and the latter was the famous Palace of Versailles. From 1680 to 1693, the two dynasties maintained friendly relations. Later, the relationship between the two countries broke down when France refused to return the Moorish prisoners. Moulay Ismail's 54-year reign and extraordinary achievements made him a legendary figure. Early in his reign, he was very fond of Meknes and dreamed of building a city there that would be more magnificent than Fes and Marrakech. Meknes, as described by the Sultan's chronicler, was like this: "…20 strong gates were built on the city walls, with platforms for cannons on top. Inside the city, he built a huge artificial lake where people could row boats. There was a granary in the city, with huge underground reservoirs, and a stable three miles long for the Sultan to house his horses and mules, which could accommodate 12,000 horses. The ground under the arches was used to store grain for feeding the horses… He also built the Palace of Mansour, which had 20 domes, each of which overlooked the plains and mountains surrounding Meknes. Around the stables were all kinds of rare trees, and there were 50 palaces within the city walls, each with its own mosque and bathhouse…." Unfortunately, today's visitors to Meknes can hardly feel the splendor of the past!
View Original Text
*Created by local travelers and translated by AI.
Posted: Dec 12, 2024
Submit
0
Mentioned in This Moment
Destination

Meknes

347 attractions | 46 posts
Morocco
View
Related Moments
Chefchaouen

Visa-free travel tips for Morocco: Super practical guide is here!

NovaWizard
Amphitheater of El Jem

13-day fantasy tour of Tunisia and other countries: how to play

Ward~Liam
Tozeur Market

A No-Fuss Guide to Visa-Free Travel in Morocco and More

sophiatravel
Aït Benhaddou

A quick guide to Morocco 10-day visa-free tour

BS. Heath 40
Chefchaouen

Morocco is visa-free! The short holiday is the perfect time for a getaway.

Brooks_86 Chloe
Sidi Bou Said

A 13-Day In-Depth Tour of Morocco and More: Experience Unique Adventures

CharlotteBrooks_67
Sidi Bou Said

Visa-free travel to Morocco and other countries.

AXJ. Nat 3926
Bab El Mansour Laalej

Morocco visa-free travel, 10 days of fun

AsherShadowcaster_36
Amphitheater of El Jem

A 13-Day Multi-Country Tour Including Tunisia: So Fun You'll Forget to Go Home!

DiscoveringDiscoveries
Tozeur Market

13-Day Morocco and More Travel Guide

emmeline_lucindraeburn
Aït Benhaddou

14-Day Morocco Tour: Travel Tips for Seniors

AlexanderLivingston291
Hercules Caves

12 days to travel around Morocco in winter. It’s so beautiful.

DiscoveringDreamscapes