Category Archives: Rabat

King’s Palace, Rabat, Morocco

Just over 1¾ hours drive from Ain Diab, Casablanca we reached Rabat the capital of Morocco. First in the itinerary is a visit to the King’s palace. We noted that in every major city in Morocco, the king has a palace. Upon arrival, it was drizzling with strong winds which literally made us shiver due to the low temperature in November. Fortunately it lasted for a while and we were than able to stroll the outer perimeter of the palace.

After the King’s palace, we will be visiting the mausoleum of Mohammed V and Kasbah of Udayas before retiring for the day to our hotel.

50km more to Rabat. It rained on-and-off during the journey.

Travelling route from Ain Diab, Casablanca to Rabat.

Approaching the palace from the parking lot some distance away. Notice the strong winds blowing the palm leaves.

The flag blowing in the wind. The flag indicates the presence of the King in the palace.

The main entrance with barrier guarded by security personnel.

Another view of the palace with the fountain switched off.

Another entrance nearby.

Also with it’s security detail.

Back entrance with closed doors.

The back entrance from afar.

Mosque nearby the palace where our bus parked.

Rabat itinerary – King’s palace, Mausoleum of Mohammed V and the Kasbah of the Udayas.

The newly (2012) launched tram in Rabat.

Mausoleum of Mohammed V, Rabat, Morocco

From the King’s Palace, we were taken to the Mausoleum of Mohammed V. Here lie the tombs of King Mohammed V and his two sons King Hassan II and Prince Abdullah. The building’s plain exterior white walls and green tiled roof betray an interior of exquisite traditional Moroccan craftsmanship. Herein lie the tombs of King Mohammed V flanked by his two sons, all of which are visible from an interior balcony. The mausoleum is open to non-Muslims but you do need to be decently dressed especially the women folks.

Facing the mausoleum is the towering minaret of the Hassan Mosque which construction was abandoned upon the death of the sultan in 1199. The minaret stands at 44m and looms over the remains of its ruined mosque, destroyed in an earthquake in 1755.

Guards on horseback guarding the exterior mausoleum grounds.

The Mausoleum of Mohammed V complex. The Mausoleum is the white building with green roof.

Part of the mausoleum complex.

The King’s tomb flanked by his two sons. There’s a person reciting the Quran at the tombs.

Visitors view the tombs from an upper deck gallery.

What remain of the abandoned mosque. The minaret and foundations. Site is just in-front of the mausoleum.

Atlantic ocean at the back. Would have been a wonderful mosque if it was completed.

View towards the mouth of river Bou Regreg flowing into the Atlantic ocean.

Another section of the abandoned mosque.

The South African embassy besides the mausoleum.

Bou Regreg River, Rabat, Morocco

The Bou Regreg river is located between the cities of Rabat and Sale where its estuary meets the Atlantic Ocean. The river is 240 kms long originating from the Middle Atlas mountains. The river separates the cities of Rabat to the south and Salé to the north.

We passed this river’s estuary on our way from the mausoleum heading to the Kasbah (fortress) of the Udayas a short distance away. Our bus didn’t stop here because of the drizzle but we were able to capture a few pictures from inside the bus.