[Photo from visitmorocco.com]

[Photo from visitmorocco.com]

A fabulous medina

Made of adobe in the 12th century, the Andalusian ramparts protect the south side of the medina. The rectilinear layout of the old city is impressive as it is very different from the traditional mazes of streets. You can enter through the Bab El Had gate, scene of the Sunday market. This is where Souika street begins, the biggest and probably most animated in the medina. It leads to the Great Mosque and ends up at the Souk Es Sebat, the shoe market covered with reed mats and overflowing with hundreds of babouches, leather and handcraft goods and gold and silver jewelry. Then, along Rue des Consuls, which is partially covered by glass roofs, artisans work before your eyes on their deep-pile carpets, fabrics and copper objects. Heading back north, you approach the gate of the Oudayas.

The soul of the medina

Protected by powerful ramparts, the medina reflects the soul of the old Almohad city. Souika street and its shops present magnificent rugs, the delicate work of copperware artisans, succulent pastries and appetizing brochettes. Rue des Consuls – which got its name because this is where representatives of foreign nations resided – is flanked by elegant residences where the craftmen practice their art under the watchful eyes of passersby. Tarik El Marsa street, which runs along the Andalusian wall, also boasts a full panorama of the crafts practiced here for centuries.