Zellij facade
A web of geometric patterns.
Robert Prazeres — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Jocelyn Erskine-Kellie from London, UK — CC BY 2.0 · Toska89 — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Angela Schoettler († 2023) — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Mohamed Rharnati — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Unknown — CC BY-SA 3.0 · ZAINEB HACHAMI — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Robert Prazeres — CC BY-SA 4.0
The most famous and beautiful gate of Meknes and one of the finest historic gates in Morocco, once the main ceremonial entrance to the kasbah of Sultan Moulay Ismail, who made Meknes his capital and ruled Morocco from 1672 to 1727. Begun late in his reign, it was completed by his son, Sultan Moulay Abdallah, in 1732. The gate takes its name from its designer, Mansour al-Alj, said to have been a Christian captive who converted to Islam. It was meant to impress more than to defend, its huge facade covered in a dense web of geometric patterns in green and blue zellij, its great arch flanked by two towers with marble columns and topped by a band of Arabic inscription. The gate faces Place el-Hedim, the heart of old Meknes, and close by stands Bab Jama en-Nouar with similar decoration. With the kasbah walls it is part of the Historic City of Meknes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Viewing the gate is free; visitors do not usually pass through it, as it is a monument seen from the square. It photographs best in low sunlight in the morning or before sunset, and when lit at night.
A web of geometric patterns.
Towers beside the arch.
Facing el-Hedim.
South side of Place el-Hedim, Meknes
Place el-HedimThe great square of old Meknes, separating the medina from Moulay Ismail's kasba1 minute walk
Qara PrisonA series of underground vaulted chambers built in the early eighteenth century b2 minutes walk
Dar Jamaï Museum (National Museum of Music)A late nineteenth-century palace on Place el-Hedim, built in 1882 for the Jamaï 3 minutes walk
Mausoleum of Moulay IsmailA funerary complex holding the tomb of Sultan Moulay Ismail, who ruled Morocco f3 minutes walk
Bou Inania Madrasa, MeknesA Marinid madrasa in the heart of old Meknes near the Grand Mosque, founded by t4 minutes walkAfter its designer, Mansour al-Alj; the title al-alj was given to European captives who converted to Islam.