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

Postcard 1
A nice multi-view showing the impressive walls and gates of Meknes. Postmarked Essaouira, Morocco on August 5, 2010 and arrived in Penang on August 18, 2010. Thanks so much to Naomi of Netherlands for sending me a total 4 different Morroco UNESCO World Heritage postcards using two different carpet stamps on each postcard.

Postcard 2
A beautiful postcard of Meknes, Morocco printed and mailed by the Maselis family of Belgium from Meknes. Thanks so much. Received in Penang Island on February 8, 2021.

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

Postcard 1
La Zaouia (lieu saint) de Moulay Idriss of Fez, Morocco. Thanks to Naomi of Netherlands who visited Morocco.






Postcard 2
Bab Khasbah Nouar of Fes, Morocco. Postmarked Essaouira CLD on January 6, 2010 and arrived in Penang on January 21, 2010. Thanks to Linda.






Postcard 3
Medina of Fez. Nice stamps used. Thanks to Roberto who was visiting Morocco. Postcard mailed on September 29, 2009 and arrived in Penang on October 24, 2009.

Postcard 4

Medina of Fez. Thanks to Gloria of California, USA for mailing from Fez, Morocco. Mailed on May 31, 2019 and received in July 11, 2019.

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

Postcard 1
Map of Marrakech. Thanks to DAO of UK who was visiting Marakkech.

Postcard 2

Multi-view of Marrakech. Morocco's official name is Royaume du Maroc. Located in the north west of Africa opposite Spain. Must thank Basak for this wonderful postcard.

Postcard 3

Another view of Place Jemaa el Fna, Marrakech, Maroc. Thanks so much to Phil's friend Derrick of New Zealand who was visiting. Postmarked Sep 25, 2009 and arrived in Penang on October 15, 2009.

Postcard 4

Jamaa El Fna, Mararakech, Morocco. Thanks to Brigitte of Germany.

Postcard 5

View of the Medina of Marrakesh, Morocco. Written on January 14, postmarked January 17, 2011 and arrived in Penang on February 9, 2011. Thanks to Amy of France who was visiting.







Postcard 6
Place Jamaa El Fna of Marrakech, Morocco. Thanks to Naomi of Netherlands who was visiting.

Postcard 7

Medina of Marrakech, Morocco with postage label used. Thanks to Rimox of Morocco. Received in April 2019.

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


Postcard 1 Multi-view of Volubilis, Tunisia. Thanks to Patrik of Estonia.

Postcard 2

Ville typiquement romaine datant vraisemblablement de 25 ans avant ou apres J.C. of Volubilis, Morocco. Thanks to Julie of Canada.

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

Bab Al Okla, Tetouan of Morocco. Thanks to Julie of Canada.

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

Postcard of Rabat. Different door walls built between 9th and 10th century. Nice circular stamps used. Thanks to Zouhir of Morocco.

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

Postcard 1
Multiview of Essaouira. Thanks to Jean-Pierre of France who mailed this from Essaouira on June 12, 2012 and arrived in Penang on June 22, 2012.

Postcard 2
Postcard of Essaouira. Thanks to Sini of Finland who bought it when visiting Morocco.

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

Postcard 1
La Citerne Portugaise - El Jadida. Thanks to Julie of Canada.

Postcard 2

Mazagan (Formerly El Jadida) market place view. Thanks to Patrik of Estonia.

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

Postcard 1
Located 32km north of Ouarzazate is the Village of Ait Benhaddou, Morocco. Thanks to Naomi of Netherlands who was visiting Morocco.






Postcard 2
Glaoui Kasbah (Fort) located in Ait-Ben-Haddou is an impressive fortress in Morocco. Thanks to jayjayc who was travelling in Morocco. Salamat.