Almohad carving
Interlacing arches.
Omar-toons — CC BY-SA 3.0 · OHamama — CC BY-SA 4.0 · OHamama — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Robert Prazeres — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Nawalbennani — CC BY-SA 3.0 · OussamaHamama — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ibtissam RAHMOUNI — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Dortiti عبد الله فكري — CC BY-SA 4.0
A monumental gate in Rabat's Almohad walls, built by Caliph Yaqub al-Mansur in the late twelfth century as part of the great capital he began here, completed with its adjoining ramparts by 1197. Its name, Bab er-Rouah or Gate of the Winds, likely comes from the strong Atlantic winds that batter the city. The gate is known for its stone facade decorated with successive interlacing arches around the main arch, floral motifs and Kufic inscriptions, flanked by two massive towers. Its entrance was made smaller in the eighteenth century, when part of it was filled in with stones under Sultan Mohammed ben Abdallah. The gate's inner halls have become an art gallery that hosts exhibitions from time to time, and it was restored in 2000 and 2001. Rabat's long Almohad walls run on either side, and through one of their arches you can see the minaret of the Sunna Mosque. Viewing the gate from outside is free, and the gallery opens for exhibitions at varying times. It stands on the road between the city centre and the Royal Palace.
Interlacing arches.
Shows inside the gate.
On either side.
Avenue an-Nasr, on the Almohad wall, Rabat
Museum of History and CivilizationsMorocco's national archaeological museum, founded in 1932 as the Rabat Archaeolo7 minutes walk
Royal Palace of Rabat (Dar al-Makhzen)The King of Morocco's main official residence in Rabat, in the Touarga district,13 minutes walk
Medina of RabatRabat's old walled town, bounded to the north by the Bou Regreg and the Kasbah o18 minutes walk
ChellahA walled archaeological site on the south bank of the Bou Regreg River where lay22 minutes walk
Hassan TowerThe minaret of an unfinished mosque commissioned by the Almohad caliph Yaqub al-23 minutes walkThe gallery inside opens only during exhibitions; otherwise visitors admire its carved Almohad facade from outside.