Hassan II Mosque

Address	Boulevard Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah, Casablanca

One of the largest and most magnificent sights in the Muslim world is the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca. Rising high on a point high above the Atlantic ocean, it is the biggest religious monument after Mecca. It is recently constructed, having been finished only in August 1993 - just it time for Hassan II’s 60th birthday celebration. For five years, 6,000 Moroccan craftsmen worked on the site day and night. Its prayer hall can accommodate up to 25,000 worshippers (it is said that it is vast enough to fit Paris’ Notre Dame or the Vatican’s St. Peter’s comfortably), and its piazza can fill up to 80,000 more.

One of the sight’s many appeals is that it is one of the very few mosques that are open to non-Muslims. However, when visiting, make sure you’re respectfully dressed and if you’re a woman, make certain that your shoulders and knees are covered. Also, note that shoes must be removed before entering. Guided tours are available in Spanish, English and French, with French being the most common. Tours are daily, except Friday, at 9am, 10am, 11am and 2pm. Cost: Dr100.

Volubilis

The largest and best preserved Roman ruins in Morocco lie about 33km from Meknes, in the Middle Atlas region. Although archaeologists have revealed the site was originally settled by Carthaginian traders in third century B.C., Volubilis dates predominantly from the second and third centuries A.D. The site was one of the Roman Empires’ most remote posts in the area. Volubilis’ population consisted of Berbers, Greeks, Jews and Syrians and was inhabited until the 18th century. It’s most impressive monuments are it’s triumphal arc, it’s Roman baths and the basilica – all built in the second and third centuries A.D. Its breathtaking mosaics have all been left in place and they are, without doubt, one of the highlights of the site.

The best times to visit the site are early in the morning or later in the afternoon, as midday sun and heat can be overwhelming. Volubilis is open daily and entry into the ruins is about Dr20. There is only one hotel in the area, Hotel Volubilis, and it lies roughly 500m from the site on the ride in from Meknes (Ph: 544405). In addition to the hotel, there are camping grounds about 9km from the ruins. Camping Zerhoune (Ph: 517756) costs about Dr15 per person, with tents costing Dr7. Caravans or camping vans are charged Dr20.

Fes el-Bali

The largest and best preserved Roman ruins in Morocco lie about 33km from Meknes, in the Middle Atlas region. Although archaeologists have revealed the site was originally settled by Carthaginian traders in third century B.C., Volubilis dates predominantly from the second and third centuries A.D. The site was one of the Roman Empires’ most remote posts in the area. Volubilis’ population consisted of Berbers, Greeks, Jews and Syrians and was inhabited until the 18th century. It’s most impressive monuments are it’s triumphal arc, it’s Roman baths and the basilica – all built in the second and third centuries A.D. Its breathtaking mosaics have all been left in place and they are, without doubt, one of the highlights of the site.

The best times to visit the site are early in the morning or later in the afternoon, as midday sun and heat can be overwhelming. Volubilis is open daily and entry into the ruins is about Dr20. There is only one hotel in the area, Hotel Volubilis, and it lies roughly 500m from the site on the ride in from Meknes (Ph: 544405). In addition to the hotel, there are camping grounds about 9km from the ruins. Camping Zerhoune (Ph: 517756) costs about Dr15 per person, with tents costing Dr7. Caravans or camping vans are charged Dr20.

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