Rabat — Al-Mansour's Unfinished Legacy

Your journey begins on the Esplanade of the Hassan Tower in Rabat, where the shadow of Caliph Yaqoub al-Mansour still lingers. Initiated in 1195, the Hassan Tower minaret was intended to reach 80 meters in height but was only completed to 44 meters after the caliph's death in 1199. This historic monument, with its 16-meter base diameter and zellij and Kufic motifs, was part of a giant Almohad mosque designed to accommodate 20,000 worshippers. The 1755 earthquake ended this architectural dream, but the remains of the original 200 columns are still visible on this vast 175m long by 140m wide square, laid out in the 1960s to enhance this site, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2012.

A short walk from the Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V stands as a tribute to Morocco's modern history. Built between 1961 and 1971, it houses the tomb of King Mohammed V (1909-1961), the first sovereign of independent Morocco, as well as that of his son Hassan II (1929-1999). Its Neo-Moorish architecture is directly inspired by Almohad and Saadian mausoleums, creating a tangible link with al-Mansour's legacy. The Carrara marble tomb, adorned with green and white zellij, is guarded by 12 Royal Guard soldiers, offering a striking contrast between the unfinished ambition of the 12th century and the majesty of the 20th century in Rabat.

Your path then leads you to the Chellah Necropolis, a site approximately 1 km south of the Hassan Tower. An ancient Roman city, Sala Colonia, from the 2nd century BCE, Chellah was transformed into a Merinid necropolis in the 14th century. There, you will discover a monumental Almohad gate, erected under Yaqoub al-Mansour around 1195-1199, testifying to his lasting influence on the Rabat landscape. The remains also include a 1965 Merinid minaret and a 13th-century mosque, as well as Sufi sanctuaries. This site, also classified by UNESCO in 2012, illustrates the superposition of eras and civilizations that have marked Rabat-Salé.

Continuing your exploration of Rabat, you will encounter Bab el-Had, an Almohad gate dating from the 12th century, integrated into al-Mansour's initial ramparts. Located approximately 1.2 km northeast of the Hassan Tower, it once served as a strategic access point to the Kasbah of the Oudayas. Its defensive architecture, with machicolations and horseshoe arches, recalls the military power of the Almohads and their desire to protect the Almohad Ribat. This gate is an essential component of the fortifications built under Yaqoub al-Mansour, whose ramparts extended over 6 km, with a thickness of 2 to 3 meters, and of which the Hassan Tower itself was a defensive bastion.

As you complete your journey along the Almohad Ramparts of Rabat, partially restored in the 20th century and visible along the esplanade, you will have a deep understanding of Yaqoub al-Mansour's vision. These fortifications, erected between 1184 and 1199, encircled Rabat and incorporated the Hassan Tower as a key element. The circuit in the city of Rabat will have revealed how a project left unfinished by the caliph's death continued to influence the urban planning and identity of the Moroccan capital, a testament to the Almohad World Heritage. You will carry with you the image of a city where the ambition of its rulers, from the Almohad era to independence, has left an indelible mark on its architecture and history.