A town on two hills
White houses, green roofs.
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A holy town on two hills at the foot of Mount Zerhoun, overlooking the ruins of Volubilis three kilometres away, named after Moulay Idris I, founder of the Idrisid dynasty and the first Islamic state in Morocco, who arrived here in 789, allied with the local Amazigh tribes and was buried in this town. It is therefore one of Morocco's holiest towns and a place of pilgrimage. Its white houses spill down the slopes of the two hills around the shrine with its green-tiled roofs, a lovely sight from the surrounding viewpoints. A large annual moussem draws visitors from all over Morocco. The shrine of Moulay Idris and its square are closed to non-Muslims, but everyone can wander the town's narrow stepped lanes, see a cylindrical minaret, a rarity in Morocco, clad in green tiles and Qur'anic inscriptions, and climb to viewpoints over the town, Volubilis and the plains. Wandering the town is free; respect its sanctity and dress modestly. It is usually combined with Volubilis in half a day from Meknes or Fes, and simple restaurants in town serve tagine.
White houses, green roofs.
A rarity in Morocco.
Over the plains.
Foot of Mount Zerhoun, about three kilometres from Volubilis and thirty from Meknes
Yes, they can wander its lanes and climb to its viewpoints, while the shrine of Moulay Idris and its square are for Muslims only.