According to Arab historians, the origin of Meknes dates back to the Roman Period. It is thought that Meknes might be a forward post for the Roman city, Volubilis. Etched in every corner of Meknes are unique arts and crafts, lively markets, incorporated neighborhoods, intricate gardens, enormous gates, colossal walls, and great monuments that are an attestation to the History of Meknes. In 1996 Meknes was classified as a World heritage site for the edification and pleasure of humanity.

Meknes is the Versailles of Morocco, unfortunately the majestic design of the Royal Palace for the sultan Moulay Ismail was left unfinished. Today the city is the center of trading and producing citrus, cereal crops, wine and olives.

The ancient city is not as well maintained as the others found in Morocco, but the royal palace encompasses most of it. A tyrant in many words, the Sultan Moulay Ismail who ruled for 55 years during the 1700 commissioned the building of a massive royal palace. Despite his apparent penchant for huge undertakings in terms of building, Ismail never achieved his desire of making Meknes an Imperial city to beckon awe and inspiration. Meknes has always had this sense of emptiness that not even the recently constructed French city can overcome.

A typical Moroccan city, Meknes is separated in two halves. There’s the modern settlement and the walled medina. The contemporary past does not post much interest or anything that we Britons aren’t quite immune to. If you want to experience the real Meknes, abandon the current world and move in the streets of the olden times, go to the old city, pass through the grandest gates, and onward into the Imperial City.

The medina and the imperial city are linked by a huge square: Place El Hedim. Coming from the newer town you will notice that the imperial city is situated to the left and medina to the right. Walking into El Hedim is like stepping unto a time machine: the narrow streets, where a British visitor will see himself transported into an era where goods are wheeled around in carts or donkeys, the aroma of spices, herbs, fruits, with a hint of grilled meat permeates the air,, and where people are garbed as if father clocked has never budged a hand. Everyone is dressed in robes, the men in djellabas, the women covered in floor length tunic and where only barbarians don trousers.

The overwhelming inkling of timelessness prevails in spite of the signs of modernity. Meknes is a typical medieval city where in crowds stop to chat, bargain, shop, pass, in winding narrow streets creating an animated picture of what it must have been like in the medieval ages.

There some parts of the medina that may offer respite from all the hustle and bustle. Cube like white washed houses that expose single room shops where you will tailors sewing away whilst their children frolic on the streets. You will occasionally hear the water of fountains. A glimpse inside the house windows will show you courtyards that seems to carry you into time where treasures and harems was the way of life.

There are a few monuments scattered around, like most Moslem countries Morocco forbids non believers to enter their mosques. One of the chief monuments is the Medersa Bou Inania built in 14th century. Medersan is a Koranic school where students studied and lived.

The rectangular courtyard has spare sleeping areas that do nothing to stimulate the imagination. The square itself is accessible though an immense doorway fitted with bronze gates with lush décor. Everywhere you will see fretted and vertically carved cedar beams   divided by fretted white stucco panels. The over all of the intricacies is luxury that is unbound: all is either dark brown or white and yet the skill and convolution provokes never ending interest

Cost of Living

Fortunately, the cost of living in Morocco is not as high as in Britain, but it is even lower in Meknes. Pre packed food is a lot less expensive that in England, and fresh food even cheaper, particularly the vegetables and the fruits. Unfortunately, driving can be a bit more expensive since cars and its maintenance costs a little more. It is deemed better to take public transportation or find a flat close work, the market and general areas. Incidentally a phone line and the internet are also a bit pricey. In Meknes, they are a luxury instead of a commodity, but everyday good are so cheap that splurging on the occasional access to the comforts of modern living wont make too much of a dent on your budget.

The People

The people in Meknes are extraordinarily hospitable. Here you will feel special as people will inundate you with invites to lunch or dinner with their families. Moroccans are very friendly and nice towards foreigners except when in one place: Public places, particularly the streets are a man’s territory, and a woman walking all by herself is a prey to sexual harassment.

The Good and the Bad

The best thing about Meknes is that you will never run out of things to do, place to explore and history to glean, the food is cheap, handicrafts are abundant and public transportation is affordable.

The bad side is that it is an overly patriarchal society that seems to be stuck on the middle ages where women are treated as objects, dummies and pawns. Plus some people are so rude as to try to convert you into their religion without even knowing who you are.

Getting Around

Should you find yourself in Meknes, there are a lot of taxis and efficient local buses that go around. The taxis are tiny blue cars of the Peugeot 205 and Fiat Uno Brands. A taxi will cost you 5 dirham, if you want something cheaper opt for the bus, but the bus can be a little crowded and difficult to manage because of the routes.

Meknes makes for a great vacation or a potential place to retire to. They have two languages, French and Arabic. There are a lot resort hotels and luxury living communities now sprouting everywhere to cater to even the most wary of British travelers.