Morocco - Medina of Fez

"Founded in the 9th century and home to the oldest university in the world, Fez reached its height in the 13th–14th centuries under the Marinids, when it replaced Marrakesh as the capital of the kingdom. The urban fabric and the principal monuments in the medina – madrasas, fondouks, palaces, residences, mosques and fountains - date from this period. Although the political capital of Morocco was transferred to Rabat in 1912, Fez has retained its status as the country's cultural and spiritual centre." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Morocco - Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou

"The ksar, a group of earthen buildings surrounded by high walls, is a traditional pre-Saharan habitat. The houses crowd together within the defensive walls, which are reinforced by corner towers. Ait-Ben-Haddou, in Ouarzazate province, is a striking example of the architecture of southern Morocco." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Morocco - Historic City of Meknes

"Founded in the 11th century by the Almoravids as a military settlement, Meknes became a capital under Sultan Moulay Ismaïl (1672–1727), the founder of the Alawite dynasty. The sultan turned it into a impressive city in Spanish-Moorish style, surrounded by high walls with great doors, where the harmonious blending of the Islamic and European styles of the 17th century Maghreb are still evident today." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Morocco - Portuguese City of Mazagan (El Jadida)

"The Portuguese fortification of Mazagan, now part of the city of El Jadida, 90-km southwest of Casablanca, was built as a fortified colony on the Atlantic coast in the early 16th century. It was taken over by the Moroccans in 1769. The fortification with its bastions and ramparts is an early example of Renaissance military design. The surviving Portuguese buildings include the cistern and the Church of the Assumption, built in the Manueline style of late Gothic architecture. The Portuguese City of Mazagan - one of the early settlements of the Portuguese explorers in West Africa on the route to India - is an outstanding example of the interchange of influences between European and Moroccan cultures, well reflected in architecture, technology, and town planning." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage 

Morocco - Archaeological Site of Volubilis

"The Mauritanian capital, founded in the 3rd century B.C., became an important outpost of the Roman Empire and was graced with many fine buildings. Extensive remains of these survive in the archaeological site, located in a fertile agricultural area. Volubilis was later briefly to become the capital of Idris I, founder of the Idrisid dynasty, who is buried at nearby Moulay Idris." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Morocco - Medina of Tétouan (formerly known as Titawin)

"Tétouan was of particular importance in the Islamic period, from the 8th century onwards, since it served as the main point of contact between Morocco and Andalusia. After the Reconquest, the town was rebuilt by Andalusian refugees who had been expelled by the Spanish. This is well illustrated by its art and architecture, which reveal clear Andalusian influence. Although one of the smallest of the Moroccan medinas, Tétouan is unquestionably the most complete and it has been largely untouched by subsequent outside influences." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Morocco - Medina of Marrakesh

"Founded in 1070–72 by the Almoravids, Marrakesh remained a political, economic and cultural centre for a long period. Its influence was felt throughout the western Muslim world, from North Africa to Andalusia. It has several impressive monuments dating from that period: the Koutoubiya Mosque, the Kasbah, the battlements, monumental doors, gardens, etc. Later architectural jewels include the Bandiâ Palace, the Ben Youssef Madrasa, the Saadian Tombs, several great residences and Place Jamaâ El Fna, a veritable open-air theatre." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Morocco - Medina of Essaouira (formerly Mogador)

"Essaouira is an exceptional example of a late-18th-century fortified town, built according to the principles of contemporary European military architecture in a North African context. Since its foundation, it has been a major international trading seaport, linking Morocco and its Saharan hinterland with Europe and the rest of the world." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Morocco - Rabat, modern capital and historic city: a shared heritage

"The historical and monumental city of Rabat itself as an outstanding example of several books: 1. The city has in terms of history an heritage from ancient times up to half of the twentieth century, as evidenced by the monumental considered in this nomination include: the archaeological site of Chellah, Oudaïa the Qasba, the walls and doors Almohad mosque of Hassan, the medina, the new town and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V. The historical trajectory of the city is quite remarkable especially in relation to the Almohad period which was at the very origin of the name of Rabat: "Ribat al Fath '. Indeed, during this period leading to the history of Morocco, the city was fortified and equipped by the Almohad caliph al Mansur Yaakoub to make it the capital of his empire and military base for the preparation of the conquest of Andalusia. In this regard, it is important to emphasize that this time the sovereign Almohad empire reached its peak, it stretched over a vast territory stretching from the Atlantic westward to Libya Barqa to east and north of Andalusia to the countries of sub-Saharan Africa to the south. 2. From the perspective of art, the city of Rabat offers a fine example of a monumental density and outstanding quality. Successive elements punctuating the left bank of the Bouregreg valley, are perfectly arranged and anchored in the landscape, their successive designers, in terms of site layout, provided each additional items. Thus, the axis of the Medina founded in the sixteenth century was aligned with that of the Qasba Oudaïa, Islamic core of the city of Rabat. It was extended in the early twentieth century by the French urban planners new to the city through the current Boulevard Mohammed V leading to the Sunna mosque."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage