Medinas: Morocco’s hidden cities
Set only a short ride by ship from the south of Spain, Morocco is a different world, with sights, sounds and scents that captured for centuries the imagination of adventure seekers. At the heart of all its cities lies a “medina”, a labyrinth of narrow streets and alleys, off limits for car traffic, where the donkey and the bicycle are the only means of transportation.
Medina is an Arab word that means “city” and, in present times, it is the name of the old Islamic downtown, surrounded by defense walls. Every medina is a city in itself. A few elements are omnipresent: the mosque, the “medersa” (Islamic school) and the “hammam” (public bath). Houses are really close to each other creating the labyrinth of streets. The entrances are guarded by “bab” (gates) which are often very colorfully decorated. Along the stone paved ways there are thousands of “souk” (markets) where all kinds of merchandise, including food and clothing are sold. The street and houses of the medinas represent the pre-industrial culture. In the Islam tradition homes are private worlds, built to conceal the life behind the high walls. No windows facing the street, all views to the interior patio, the passerby is left with no chance but to guess the wealth of the owner.
Every town has its own medina with its own personality. Some medinas are purely Islamic; others display French, Spanish or Portuguese cultural influence. In medinas the various ethnic groups always have reserved spaces or separate quarters. The most significant ethnic minority are the Jews, who live in quarter’s named “mellah” with their own municipal councils, schools and places of worship.
Medinas: Morocco’s hidden cities
Set only a short ride by ship from the south of Spain, Morocco is a different world, with sights, sounds and scents that captured for centuries the imagination of adventure seekers. At the heart of all its cities lies a “medina”, a labyrinth of narrow streets and alleys, off limits for car traffic, where the donkey and the bicycle are the only means of transportation.
Medina is an Arab word that means “city” and, in present times, it is the name of the old Islamic downtown, surrounded by defense walls. Every medina is a city in itself. A few elements are omnipresent: the mosque, the “medersa” (Islamic school) and the “hammam” (public bath). Houses are really close to each other creating the labyrinth of streets. The entrances are guarded by “bab” (gates) which are often very colorfully decorated. Along the stone paved ways there are thousands of “souk” (markets) where all kinds of merchandise, including food and clothing are sold. The street and houses of the medinas represent the pre-industrial culture. In the Islam tradition homes are private worlds, built to conceal the life behind the high walls. No windows facing the street, all views to the interior patio, the passerby is left with no chance but to guess the wealth of the owner.
Every town has its own medina with its own personality. Some medinas are purely Islamic; others display French, Spanish or Portuguese cultural influence. In medinas the various ethnic groups always have reserved spaces or separate quarters. The most significant ethnic minority are the Jews, who live in quarter’s named “mellah” with their own municipal councils, schools and places of worship.
