MOROCCO: The Capital City of Rabat - One of the Four Imperial Cities of Morocco

Rabat is the capitol city of Morocco. 

It is the country's seventh largest city with a metropolitan population of  over 1.2 million people.

It is one of the four Imperial cities of Morocco and the Royal Palace in Rabat is the official residence of King Hassan II. 

The Royal Palace of Rabat sits in a large park surrounded by government offices and housing for the King's staff. Tourists are allowed to enter the grounds of the Palace and have a walk in the gardens, but they are not allowed to enter the Palace.

Royal guards sit at the entrance of the Palace. 

A couple of highlights for me in Rabat:

KASBAH OF THE UDAYAS

The Kasbah of the Udayas (Casbah des Oudaïas) in Rabat was originally built in the 12th century when the Almohad dynasty needed to defend its territory with a powerful fortification in a strategic location. 

Standing on the banks of the Bou Regreg river, the Kasbah protected the city from pirate ships and invading forces. Now it provides scenic views over the river to Salé and out to the Atlantic ocean. 

It has been repurposed many times throughout the centuries and has been home to Arab tribes, Andalusian immigrants and some of Morocco’s most powerful sultans. You can see the different influences in the architecture. 

In the 17th century Muslim immigrants fleeing from Catholic Spain sought refuge in the abandoned Kasbah.

Today the Kasbah is a flourishing city within a city and home to approximately 2,000 people.

JARDIN DES OUDAYAS (OUDAYAS GARDENS)

The gardens were constructed during the French protectorate era in the grounds of a former palace built in the 17th century by the Sultan Moulay Ismail.

it is a pretty little spot for locals, and tourists, to enjoy some quiet time.

Bettie Donovan

Nisha Jogia & Marie Frederick

HASSAN TOWER

The Hassan Tower was begun in the mid-12th century. It was meant to have been the world's largest minaret, but it was never completed. Almost 900 years later it is still not completed.

MAUSOLEUM OF MOHAMMED V

Opposite the Hassan Tower, is the 20th-century Mausoleum of Mohammed V, the grandfather of the current King.

Construction began in 1961 and was completed in 1971. Mohammed V's body was transferred here that same year. His son Prince Abdallah was buried here in 1983 and his other son, King Hassan II (the current King's father) was buried here upon his death in 1999. 

Interesting titbit of trivia for your next cocktail party: the current King decides where the deceased King will be buried.

While we were there they started the changing of the guard. Which, considering I am a bit of a Tradition, Pomp and Ceremony Geek, I found very exciting.

The Ladies were suitably impressed. 

Bettie Donovan, Marie Frederick, Nisha Jogia and Linda Frederick

The guard's verdict is still undetermined.