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Quieter as Casablanca, Rabat is a city comfortable and airy, open ocean. Behind the walls of the necropolis Chellah the cackling of thousands of birds replaces the roar of the engines. In the alleys of the casbah of flowering Oudaïa, the bustling city seems so far away. The capital of the kingdom, devoid of any industrial activity, is the second largest city. Rabat, however, has all the attributes of a capital, at least in the vicinity and along Avenue Mohammed V. It must Lyautey to have been chosen as the administrative center of the country, recalls that the allocation of ministries in the vicinity of the Embassy of France. In memory of this prosperous period that the tomb of Mohammed V, father of Hassan II and restorer of national sovereignty, was high symbolically near the Hassan Tower, the ruins of the mosque in this distant predecessor. The visit of Rabat will be complemented by that of his former rival. Salty, separated only by the estuary of the Bouregreg today administratively incorporated into the capital. Explore Rabat Walks 1 - The Medina. This short walk leads through the shopping areas where most of the bazaars. It mainly join the casbahs Oudaïa. 2 - The kasbah of Oudaïa and museum Oudaïa We walk forward in the Andalusian garden flowers and alleys of the town preserved. It lingers its Moorish cafe to enjoy the view over the river and Salt Bouregreg before visiting the museum. 3 - The Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V. This site is worth visiting for the minaret of the mosque, built in the twelfth century and the tomb of w Hassan II. 4 - Necropolis Chellah. It forms one of the most romantic of Morocco. In its wild gardens, gaze breaststroke valley of the wadi. Storks claquettent on towers and necropolis' s élancent above the ancient Sala whose ruins are still searched. 5 - The Royal Palace, the Archaeological Museum and the new town. We will pass before the royal palace before visiting the museum. archaeological. Finally on the Promenade shopping avenue Mohammed V. Rabat map. The Moroccan art. The museum Oudaïa together a fine collection of costumes, jewelry, carpets, etc.. Ancient and contemporary. The Almohad architecture. The door Oudaia, Bab er Raouah and Hassan tower are superb specimens Memories of antiquity. Roman remains have not Chellah power evocative ruins of Volubilis and Lixus but the archaeological museum houses a remarkable collection of bronzes. Flowers and gardens. If a contest was held in Morocco, Rabat receive the first prize of flowers. The broad avenues crossing. the modern city, small gardens around the villas in residential neighborhoods, Andalusian style garden of the kasbah Oudaïa, exuberant flora and semi wild necropolis Chellah finally the beautiful exotic gardens of Sidi Rabat Bouknadel contribute to the city of flowers. Living Rabat. with its avenues and its cafes, its many gardens and the sea always near. Rabat is a city where life is good. City of embassies and ministries, Rabat has many officials and people are much less stressed than those in Casablanca. It exudes an atmosphere almost provincial, unique to Morocco. Rabat manual If you hurry, you can go Chellah mausoleum, the Hassan Tower, the Kasbah Oudaïa and Museum archaeological. Ideally, if one has a day is to leave his car at the hotel. We will follow up the walks through the new town, the medina and kasbah Oudaïa off, then taxi to the Hassan tower, the mausoleum of Chellah and the Archaeological Museum before returning on foot to the center of the city news. This solution avoids backtracking. A half-day programs. Car ride to the casbahs Oudaïa, which we discovered the door, the museum, the gardens and the Moorish cafe, then we will see the Hassan Tower and the cemetery Chellah. We end with the archaeological museum for its collection of bronzes in Volubilis. A day. Morning visit of the medina and kasbah Oudaïa; we can have lunch overlooking the ocean. In the afternoon we will drive to the Hassan Tower and the cemetery Chellah and archaeological museum before to take a stroll through the modern city. Two days. The second day exploring the nearby town of Sale (morning). Then stroll through the exotic gardens of Sidi Bouknadel, or it may continue until the kasbah of Mehdia and Mehdia-Plage. Flap in history The ancient city. The excavations have unearthed Chellah a city dating back to at least the third century av. AD. Probable landing point of Phoenician sailors and Carthage, she struck, the late 1st century av. AD, coins in neo-Punic legend. It seems that it enjoyed under the kings of Mauritania, a measure of independence. Cited as the names of Ptolemy and Sala Sala Colonia in the Itinerary of Antoninus, the city was probably occupied during the reign of Claudius before becoming a municipality under Trajan, and later be elevated to colony. Ribat in Rabat. In the eighth century extended not far from the present site of the city, the territory of the Berbers Berghouata, followers of heresy kharidjite. This led naturally to the tenth century, establishing a fortified monastery, or ribat, or warriors of orthodox Muslims, who have more than one trait in common with the Templars, had run for several centuries the holy war against Berghouata. The first Almohad capital. It is probably around 1146, after the fall of Fez, Abd el Mou'men became master of the country. Taking quickly realize the value of the position of ribat and the nearby town of Sale to a kingdom whose capital was Marrakech, he began to develop the ribat a kasbah fortress with a palace where he stayed at repeatedly. It was now the fulcrum of the camp gathered or the mujahideen, the fighters of the Faith, departure and return of campaigns in Spain. His grand-son, Yacoub el Mansour, dreamed of making it his capital. When he died in 1199, it had already raised a large compound and mosque, which remained unfinished, including the Hassan Tower is the largest memory. Ribat al Fath, designed according to a plan too ambitious, dwindled after the death of its founder and was reduced to the size of a small town. After the struggles between Almohads Merinides and lean they attempted to lift it (construction of the mosque and the necropolis of Chellah), the city continued to decline: Leon Africanus in the sixteenth century, the reduced to a hundred words houses inhabited. Salé-le-Neuf and Salé-le-Vieux. The arrival in 1609 of Muslim refugees from Spain, the Andalusians, caused an initial renaissance of the city. Among them, a large contingent of Hornacheros (from Hornachos), helped the sultan Moulay Zidan saadien to consolidate his throne. The newcomers, joined by other Andalusians, occupied the site of present-Medina, known then as the Sale-le-Neuf, as opposed to Sale-le-Vieux is on the opposite bank of the Bou Regreg. State living piracy. Hornacheros Andalusians and instituted in 1627, a curious republic under the name Republic of Bouregreg. The current kasba Oudaïa took the place of capital. A boss elected for one year, assisted by a council, presided over the destinies of this strange little state living piracy and occupying his leisure in continual struggles between triangular Andalus, el Hornacheros Dirty Old people. Piracy procured for the republic all its resources. The money raised in Spain by Hornacheros allowed them to equip a large fleet and their thirst for vengeance did the rest. European renegades came to join them, as the Dutchman Jan Janssen, best known for his formidable achievements as the Morat Rais. Pirates but traders. English and Portuguese vessels were at first the only victims of this war and then running it like the pirates of Algiers, Saletins attacked all ships. They ventured into British waters and even in the vicinity of Newfoundland. France and England had particularly suffered from this aggression, especially as their port almost inviolable and virtually impregnable casbahs rendered useless demonstrations naval retaliation. The European powers preferred to negotiate. A merchant from Marseilles, Pierre Mazet, installs in the city since 1626, it was the first "consul of the French nation." Somewhat paradoxically, moreover, the power Europe does not reluctant to trade with Saletins selling them even need weapons and ammunition. The annexation of the Republic of Bouregreg the Kingdom of Morocco in 1666 did not change the order of things. A Governor Alawi came just watch the boss and conducting operations on behalf of the sovereign. Despite the reprisals, piracy does not hang as late as the reign of Mu-y Abd er Rahman. His final act will be in 1829, the seizure of a ship in Austria. modern capital of Morocco - The attempt of Sidi Mohammed ben Abdullah to create a new city within the old Almohad wall proved a failure. According to Louis Chenier, Andre Chenier's father, Consul of France from 1767 to 1782, she was already in 1781, five years after its construction, a heap of ruins. But the palace will be frequent by the sultans. This is where taking place, in 1845-1846, the negotiations with the French government. Rabat chosen by Lyautey in 1912 to be the country's administrative capital and seat of the General Residence. The decision of the Sultan Moulay Youssef settle there, in a palace built on the site adopted by his ancestor Sidi Mohammed ben Abdallah, was to give that choice is final. 1 - The Medina Stalls tin, carpets and leather drive this more medina, peace and less picturesque than that of Salé. Duration: 40 min Departure: crossroads of Avenue Mohammed V and Avenue Hassan II - The wall of Andalons, long straight wall reinforced by towers, limit the Medina South. Its name comes from the Andalusian or "Moriscos, Muslims expelled from Spain by Philip III in 1609-1610, who built in the seventeenth century * At 200 meters from the Avenue Mohammed V, on the left., Is Bab el Had, the door [Market] Sunday. Redesigned in 1814 by Moulay Slimane, it opens onto the boulevard Amar Ibn Yasser between two mighty towers pentagon. This gate, one of five openings in the city, is famous for being in the nineteenth century, where the sultans were the heads hang from the rebels. The former Almohade relied on the door was probably completed in 1197. She grew more than 5 km. Much remains well preserved .* Passing through the wall of the Andalusians, turn immediately right onto Souiqa. - The street Souiqa is the main artery of the medina. One would spawn more or less easily through the crowd, between two rows of small restaurants and shops, especially food and hardware. In the past, plastic, tin and manufactured goods is increasingly replacing the more traditional crafts. You'll notice right After crossing the Rue Sidi Fatah, one of the entrances to the mosque Monlay Slimane, founded in 1812 by the Sultan of the same name. Farther to the right, into a small street in Bab bringing Chellah, three arches, which once allowed to reach the basin, called attention to an old fountain Merinid, now occupied by a bookstore . Two series of blind arcades keystone pending framing the foundation inscription that gives the Sultan Abu Fares Abd el Aziz (1366-1372) the construction of this small monument. - The mosque, founded probably at the same time, the date in its current state of a virtual reconstruction Total 1882. The minaret, square, is decorated with berries whose arches are highlighted by arches at the top. The coronation was added in 1939. - Rue Souk es Sebat, covered, extending the street Souiqa. Is the neighborhood of leather goods, fabric merchants and bazaars, fearsome traps for tourists not accustomed to bargaining, but where you so kindly invited to come "for your viewing pleasure! It should then turn left into the Rue des Consuls. - The street leads to the Consuls left after the covered part of Souk es Salt is, with the previous two. The most active of the medina. It is lined with tailor shops, cloth merchants and carpets. You can attend the morning sale at auction. On the right of the old open fondouqs. The street was, until 1912, the compulsory residence of representatives of foreign powers. It noted, moreover, on the right lane or the consulate of France Louis Chénier, the poet's father, lived from 1767 to 1782. - This street leads to the site of Souk el Ghezel (Wool market). The sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the Christian captives were presented to prospective buyers. On the right. is the kasbah Oudaïa. - Overlooking the site of Souk el Ghezel, the little street Hajj Daoui can dig into the maze of alleyways of the medina. It covers an area which is quiet contrast to the bustling shopping streets of the old city. The houses, which sometimes span the roadway, are bent on their inner courtyard, a door only to frame more or less carved open to the world. Can be reached by the street That el Hammam, rue Sidi Fateh. - The mosque of Moulay el Mekki, based near the tomb of the marabout death in the eighteenth century, was enlarged in 1907. It is distinguished by a sculpted door awning and a ceiling painted in an arch spanning the street. Further, the leaves on the street dr. hen the zaouïa Sidi Aissa and joined the mosque Moulay Slimane, shortly before the wall of the Andalusians. - From Place Souk el Ghezel, can also return to the Avenue Mohammed V, following the Boulevard El Alou, which borders part of a vast cemetery between the Medina of the Coast. Shortly before Bab el Alou, Mohammed V Street left many shops and lined with restaurants, continues up the wall of the Andalusians. 2 - The Casbah and the Museum of Oudaïa Alleys flowery garden Andalusian and Moorish Café offer close to the medina an oasis of tranquility. We will enjoy strolling through this village from where the view over the ocean and Salé. Duration: 1 30 pm to 2 am Check out: instead of Souk-el-Chezel. Note: three very nice restaurants, two on the beach and near the last platform. - The walls of the kasbah Oudaïa, except the area around the Andalusian garden, dates back to the Almohad period. Rubble, thick and 2.50 m high 8 to 10 m, it is provided with a walkway. It was partly reinforced in the seventeenth and eighteenth century The southern part, before the stairs instead relies on a bastion heptagonal still equipped with old guns. It was built by Moulay Rachid st between 1666 and 1672 to increase the defenses of casbahs primitive. The tower with canted, we noticed a Shortly before the monumental gate of Oudaïa is an addition or reconstruction, probably of the seventeenth century, when Hornacheros took refuge in the Casbah to withstand the Andalusian medina. The door-Oudaïa, built of red ocher, seems to have had a mostly decorative role. It may also, in this respect be regarded as one of the jewels of Almohad art. Its construction is attributed to Yacoub el Mansour, who wanted to make Ribat el Fath its capital and would have added to the wall of Abd el Mou'men. She served perhaps close to the palace reception hall and court. A Muslim author, Mohammed bou Jendar, designates as the "gallery of stately palaces." The carved decoration, repeated on the interior façade, is sober and well balanced. The spandrels decorated with floral decoration is framed by an inscription in Kufic script, now very worn. At birth scalloped arches, we notice the serpentine pattern, rare examples of representations of animals in the Moroccan style. The cemetery-el Alou, left 1y door, is the subject of a "pilgrimage" once a year in honor of Lalla Kasba, in which young girls ask a good husband. Jamaa Street [the main form artery of this quarter. It covers the location of the convent-fortress X "s and ribat Almoravid, which is nothing left. With the exception of houses, it is difficult to date, most of the remains back the twelfth century, and the remainder in the days of the Republic of Bouregreg and first Alawite rulers. Jamaa el-Atiqa is the oldest mosque in Rabat. Founded by Abd el Mou'men in 1150 and revised several times It was largely rebuilt during the reign of Sidi Mohammed ben Abdallah (1757-1797) by an English renegade, Ahmed el Inglizi. The minaret, decorated with blind arches, is probably the work of one of the first rulers Alawi. - The platform of the old semaphore at the end of the Rue Jamaa left side offers a beautiful ocean view over the estuary Bouregreg and Salé. At the foot of the platform, a circular tower of the eighteenth century and sqala, fort built in 1776 by Sidi Mohammed ben Abdallah, defended the estuary Bouregreg. On the site, a warehouse built in the late eighteenth century by Moulay el Yazid has a cooperative or we will see young girls weaving rugs Resume Jamaa Street and turn left onto Laalam. - The tower of pirates was probably added in the seventeenth century Almohade At the foot of the rampart, the Mdoura plan is a work of high circular in the nineteenth century Grids unfortunately prohibit access to the tower. Back on the street and down Jamaa. Street Bazzo you take on the g. in the Djemaa street, down a flight of stairs to the Cafe Maure. - The Moorish Café, with its benches covered with mats, folders decorated with mosaics, open to wind and 1'ocean. Enjoying a gazelle horn accompanied by a mint tea, you can let your gaze wander over the upper parts of the kasbah, the Almohad walls and the mouth of the river that separates Rabat from Sale. This coffee, despite its fame, remains a favorite of Rabat. -The garden is accessible through a door Café Maure. This haven was created in 1915-1918 in the style of Andalusian gardens with alleys perpendicular flowerbeds storied, its traditional waterwheel and its exuberant vegetation. - The Museum of Oudaïa can be reached by exiting through an arch in the higher part of the gardens and turning immediately to the right. The museum, renovated in 1995, is housed in a tall building by Moulay Ismail, probably between 1672 and 1694. Sultan lived in this house during his visits to Rabat. The building has a courtyard with porticoes, adorned in the center of a cauldron marble and surrounded the main building on all four sides. A tower that dominates the entire completed a small mosque, preceded by a covered court today, and a steam room you will see mainly carpets, illuminated manuscripts, costumes, various types of pottery, a Moroccan interior of yesteryear with its sofas covered in gold brocade and silk made in Fez in the second half of the nineteenth century Other pieces of embroidery are presented in showcases. Urban art par excellence, embroidery offers from one city to another r variations in the choice of plants or zoomorphic motifs geometry as in the tissues, son, and points of their employees. -Leaving the museum Or you can visit the handicraft center. Turn left out of the Casbah, the center is a hundred meters down below on the left. This is a complex, modern or work a few partisans (copper, embroidery, leather work ...); possible purchases. - To reach the beginning of the next walk, we must walk along the river for about twenty minutes. Along a broad avenue, the ride is hardly attractive (and may even be trying in the heat) will better take a taxi. The Wharf Marsa al, runs along the port, frequented only by boats (which provide such pedestrian traffic to Sale). Access is indeed hindered by a phenomenon bar. The dock goes below the burj Qadiya Lalla, near the shrine of the same name or pilgrims returning from Mecca were spending the night before returning home. 0n reaches the end of the wharf at Borj Sidi Makhlouf, which builds the wall of the Andalusians. The Borj Sidi Makhlouf, early XVI named after a small shrine nearby, right. coast of the former Jewish quarter, the Jewish quarter, which was transferred to this place by the Sultan Moulay Slimane, in 1808. Sidi Makhlouf, Jewish origin, converted to Islam and came to deserve the veneration Muslims through his piety and miracles he performed. He repeated, say, the miracle of Moses by splitting the waters of Bouregreg to allow a student who wanted to test him, to cross on dry ground. .... 3 - The Hassan Tower and Mohammed V Mausoleum The tomb of the father of independence stands opposite the Tour Hassan, a former minaret of a mosque built in the twelfth century : A symbol. Duration: 1 / 2 hour to visit the two monuments. - Hassan Tower is the minaret of a mosque built on the orders of Yacoub el Mansour. It was after the Friday Mosque in Samarra (Iraq), the world's largest Muslim. Company probably before 1195, its construction was abandoned after the death of its founder (1199). Subsequently, the inhabitants of Rabat there prélevèrent materials; the earthquake of 1755 the abyss again. In 1956, Mohammed V returned from exile led to the first Friday prayers after the independence of Morocco. The mosque itself was bounded by four walls, mostly fallen, pierced with sixteen gates: four in North and East, two in the south., Six in the West. It covered with its annexes, an area of 183 m by 140. It included a large Court, housed above the deep tanks (restored) lying at the foot of the minaret, and a huge pillared hall with 312 columns and 42 marble pillars were arranged to form nineteen ships, not counting the side porticos. Hassan tower, whose kinship with the famous Giralda in Seville and the Marrakech Koutoubia appears at first glance, is a square tower of 16.20 m square and 44 m in height. If you compare the proportions to those of his binoculars, we can assume that the measure would double. The walls are not less than 2.050 m thick. Inside, the stairs are replaced by a ramp of 2 m wide and gentle enough to be climbed on horseback. Six small pieces, Vaulted each differently, are staged in the central core. The outer surfaces of the minaret are decorated in the classic manner, with arches and tracery, but the arrangement of which varies on each side. At the foot of the tower, two large staircases descend to the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, established in the area of the mosque. A pavement strewn with modern columns, strangely reminiscent of those Buren Palais Royal in Paris, established a link between these vestiges of a glorious era and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V. - Commonly known as the mausoleum of Mohammed V whole complex of buildings which includes the mausoleum itself. Completed In 1971, the monument surprised by the bias of classicism who has presided over its design and decoration. This masterpiece of Moroccan traditional art that is painted wood, plaster and marble carved, chiseled bronze. The design of this ensemble, performs on a concrete reinforcement, is caused by a Vietnamese architect Vo Toan. In the center, topped by several rows of tile roofs, green stretches the mosque whose white stone facade opens with multiple arches on an inner courtyard. To the left of it, the mausoleum itself is preceded by two flights of stairs that lead to the monumental marble qubba Italian white, which stand in front of the royal guards in white and red bunting. The sarcophagus of Mohammed V, in a block size of Pakistani white onyx, is centrally located on the lower level of the building, while his son, Prince Moulay Abdallah (d. 1983), is placed in angle. Toured a gallery upstairs, which are suspended under the flags of cities of Morocco. A gorgeous ribbed dome, formed by assembling pieces of carved mahogany and stained glass made by the factory of Saint-Gobain, covers the whole. The large gilded bronze chandelier weighs about 1.5 t. - The right of the mosque, offsetting the mausoleum, a colonnade of arches in white Carrara marble, finely carved crown a building which was to host a museum devoted to the Alawite dynasty but for some mysterious reason, has not yet emerged. 4 - The Necropolis The Necropolis Chellah Merinid Chellah includes two sites: the burial itself and the ancient city of Sala. All of these ruins, with thousands of birds, storks and wild vegetation, forms one of the most endearing of Rabat. Access: located outside the walls, about 2 km from the center, it reaches preferably by car, for example during a walking tour encompassing the previous one. Hassan tower, just follow that bypass the city boulevards Duration of tour: 1 hour - The door, though ornate and opening flanked by an arc of towers, not the purity of the buildings analogues1 Almohad period. Inside are old guard posts and the remains of an inn. Decumanus Maximus the major route of the city, was released at the bedside Capitoline temple which overlooks the north side a secondary path, paved with large flagstones. Along this street, twelve deep shops formed the ground floor of buildings, probably private, high on a series of terraces. It was also found the base of the monumental gateway which led from the forum and Decumanus Maximus NE - The necropolis Merinid Chellah. We visit first the zaouia crossing gate in front, slightly left of the road. Leaving a bare room first, we get into the left passage Zawiya is very worn but charming with its storks perched on the minaret. It is still to some earthenware polychrome decoration, but that of the lantern are recent bill. In the courtyard, a long pond was once surrounded by a portico with columns and capitals of marble. Back opened the cells, except in the South or was a small oratory. Mohammed would pray. There was a time when it was enough to make seven times around the mihrab to deserve the title of hajj, yet reserved for pilgrims who made the trip to Mecca. The mosque of Abu Youssef Yacoub (XIJle century) is in the center of the necropolis. Beside its minaret in the ruins, we see the tomb of Abou el Hassan, "Sultan Black" (1331-1348), decorated with a beautiful canopy of stalactites. Outside the SE corner of the mosque remains the tombstone of Shams ed Douha, the "Morning Sun", a European convert, wife of Abu Hassan el 5 - The Royal Palace, the Archaeological Museum, the This new city walk Eclectic is a measure of royal dimensions of Dar el Makhzen. Beside, the center seems reduced. There is however enough to charm with its wide avenues, its animation and its nonchalant cafes and is fun to linger. For lovers of old stones, visit the Archaeological Museum in Rabat is the logical complement to the site of Volubilis. Departure: Necropolis Chellah; you take the car or a taxi to go quietly, with a few detours, the Archaeological Museum, it can also be reached directly by the Avenue Yacoub Elmansour (4 km). Duration: 20 minutes to tour the Royal Palace and the door Zaer; Archaeological Museum asks himself at least 30 minutes. - The gateway to Zaer is just opposite the necropolis Chellah. This gate, one of five entries of the enclosure almoha (twelfth century), was restored in the eighteenth century Its decor is very simple, is a series of voussoirs alternately recessed and projecting, which highlights the entrance opening. It is protected by two square towers. Internally, it consists of a series of barrel-vaulted rooms, arranged so that they provided an offset arrangement, as in other works in the Almohad wall. - At the height of the door Zaer, turn left in Boulevard Moussa Ibn Nossair, then the right towards the Royal Palace, completely hidden behind large walls. "The first royal palace was founded in the late eighteenth century by Sidi Mohammed ben Abdallah. Another was erected in 1864 by Sidi Mohammed ben Abd er Rabman. The current Dar el Makbzen extends its buildings at the bottom of a huge Mechouar surrounding a particular speaker. It includes a modern palace, a mosque, or mocked Friday, a shopping area and various government buildings. If the king has palaces in most major cities is generally where he resides, surrounded by nearly 2000 people. - The mosque el Faeh, located opposite the Royal Palace hosts, especially for Friday prayer, a continual ballet of limousines which are on board the dignitaries of the regime. - The courtyard of the barracks of the Royal Guard extends in the extension of the avenue. The public is admitted to the ASIST ceremony of sending the colors. Turn left onto Avenue Moulay Hassan to take a look i Bab er Ruach. - Bab er Rouah the door of the Winds, is the most beautiful of Almohade. Through its proportions and decoration, it reminiscent of the kasbah Oudaïa. Opening between two bastions, the entrance opening is decorated with interlacing,, swags, floral arabesques and large shells, ground fairly common on the monuments of that era. Encompassing all, a banner with inscriptions in Kufic character repeated a verse from the Koran. Retrace his steps through the Avenue Moulay Hassan. - The grand mosque jama es or Sunna. Its minaret, which dominates everything. Rabat, was built in the eighteenth century by Sidi Mohammed ben Abdallah. The building has been restored several times since then. - The Archaeological Museum is located at 23 rue Brihi, crossing the street Ifni, opposite the hotel Chellah. The museum is housed in a building built in 1932 by Adrien Laforgue. It contains collections from excavations in various sites of Morocco, from prehistory to modern times. His interest lies mainly in the bronzes found at the sites of Volubilis and Lixus Banasa. Ground floor On the floor, reconstruction of a mosaic with geometric decoration of Volubilis. In the center, marble statue of Ptolemy, discovered during excavations of Sala. This son of Juba II and Cleopatra Selene reigned from 25-40 AD. He was assassinated on the orders of Caligula. In the patio, right of entry, lapidary collection: two tectonic fragments arc, altars, stelae and bases listed, funerary chambers. In the niche of the staircase, marble torso armor from Volubilis. In displays, collections evoke prehistoric discoveries made during various excavations. We note in particular the molding of the burial of an adult and a child, from the Neolithic site (3980 approx. BC) El Harhoura II. The upstairs gallery Sala-Chellab site. The first four windows evoke the history of the ancient site of Sala through pottery, oil lamps, etc. ... It will be noted especially in the first leg of a rider showcase bronze dore and a small bust of Juba II. People of the Paleolithic and Neolithic The oldest evidence of human presented on Moroccan soil were made by the discovery of fossilized human remains from the Palaeolithic through to Mougharet el Alyia, near Tangier. Populations of the time sensed, it seems, many analogies with the Neanderthals. Several other discoveries, Sidi Abderrahman, Casablanca, Ain Fritissa, Saidia, show the extent of this settlement. As for civilization duneolithique, the most beautiful relic of the stone circle is Mzora, it lasted almost until the historic period, and that with his techniques for making weapons and tools, religious beliefs, customs funeral . "From Rome to Islam." In the next window you will see an altar table Early Christian decorated with the monogram of Christ, a Byzantine incense burner, a bronze lamp with a reflector in the shape of a candlestick with seven branches and ivory statuette depicting the Good Shepherd. Christianity appeared in Tingitana towards the end of the third-century and here as elsewhere, marked the end of ancient society. The best-known tribes of Berbers is that of Christianity bucket whose descendants retain their religion and Latin language until the late eighth century Islamic Archaeology. After a showcase devoted to coins, whose shot starts with Islamization, the section he presents the main Islamic archeology sites recently Excavated Sijilmassa city founded in the eighth century, or we mark of pottery workshops; Belyounech, "campaign" of the city of Ceuta (Ceuta), or a palace, houses and water facilities have been excavated; Ksar es Saghir and Chichaoua, an important center of the sugar industry in Morocco that we will see a medieval collection of beautiful loaf of sugar. Bronzes room. It houses the large collection of ancient bronzes from most of Volubilis and the marble statuary of Volubilis, Banasa, Thamusida, Sala. The slope Ephèbe drink it, discovered in 1929, is the reply, probably Roman (Greek after R. Chatelain) a work of Praxiteles. Although slightly fleshy and with few errors anatomical (hips in particular are dissimilar), the statue evokes, by its continued pouring the Satyrs of Praxiteles, except that it does not carry any trace of animality (pointy ears, tail primer, etc.).. The Hound of Volubilis, found in 1916, is the earliest works of important discoveries on the site. It dates from the reign of the Hadri (early Ile century). He recalls his attitude dog mosaic (Cave Canem) House of Tragic Poet in Pompeii. The position of the hindquarters to suppose that once adorned a fountain in a rich house. The crown of ivy Ephèbe undoubtedly the major work of the museum. J. Carcopino he was "flexibility of Praxiteles, the expression Lysippos, the powerful modeling of Polykleitos. Its position indicates that it probably held a torch in his left hand. This type of Adonis said "lampadophore" began to develop from the 1st century AD under the reign of Augustus, where 1'on witnessed a return to a classical forms. Two pieces found in the house it's called Venus Volubilis noteworthy: The bust of Cato of Utica is the first century, so much post- his death. Great grand son of Cato the Elder Cato of Utica, he lived from 95 BC. BC This fervent Republican took Pompey against Caesar. After the defeat at Pharsalia (48) and the death of its champion, Cato led a Pompeian party. In 46, Caesar, landed in North Africa, routed the armed rebels last battle of Thapsus. 1a new learning in the city of Utica (N of Tunis), Cato chose to commit suicide rather than fall alive into the hands of his enemy. This beautiful bronze, in an excellent state of preservation - it only lacks the eyeballs, 1a reflects strength of character from what 1'0n called "the last bulwark of a republic. "
