ADVENT MOROCCO

in a compact overview, each of the visited hubs is described with suitable pictures. essential for this essay are fez and volubilis.

CASABLANCA

the name "casa blanca" stands for "white house" - and that's what dominates in this large harbour city.

FEZ

the city of fez is the second -largest and culturally leading city of morocco. it was first time its capital in 976, and then repeatedly until 1912 when rabat took over. all big historic buildings have survived well.

fez has a very long history in fabric colouring, and pertinent workshops were always part of fez. many are still in action.

the mosque al-qarawiyyn opened in 857, and in 859 the attached madrasa began teaching. morocco claims that this is the oldest university in the world! this is not strictly true though - firstly, because the madrasa of the university ez-zitouna in tunis started in 737, and secondly, the oldest university in academic terms is bologna in italy, founded in 1088. since 1965 al-qarawiyyn is formally a university. anyway, the design of the historic building is indeed very impressive.

MARRAKECH

this very large "imperial" city has mighty mosques buildings. it was founded in 1070, and twice functioned as morocco's capital.

but what it is realy known for is its medina, containing souks and souks and souks - about everything you can buy there!

especially exciting are the precious spice shops - they have a long-standing tradition in marrakech.

QUARZAZATE

towns in the atlas mountains, especially in south-morocco, are usually built with the "moroccan earthen clay architecture". many buildings show graphic designs and special decorations.

RABAT

the city of rabat is, since 1956, morocco's capital, and a major harbour. the large castle from the 12th century and the historic city walls are still a central feature.

TODRA GORGE

this is, in its central section, a very tight and very high canyon, an driving through it is indeed impressive and almost scaring!

VOLUBILIS

this (ex-)city, located near meknes, founded in the 3rd century b.c., and abandoned in the 11th century a.d., was for some time the capital of the mauretiana kingdom, and then for 300 years a large province town of the roman empire.
nowadays it is visited because of its considerable roman remains. it is a unesco world heritage site - reason: "exceptionally well preserved example of a large roman colonial town".- see the plan below.

some main buildings still stand yet many were destroyed by an earthquake and then plundered.

exceptionally well preserved are mosaics, now a core interest of excavations in volubilis.

here are seven portraits of women - looking a bit stressed, except of medusa, it seems, and a dancer.....

bath houses were popular - also, yet not only, for health reasons.....

here are two men - - hopefully the reader doesn't think these portraits depict the author!

the volubilis gallery shall finish with a musician, playing a double flute, and a happy rave.

cheerio !