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.