Travel to Morocco

We find the first traces of man in Rabat, on the current site of Chellah the eighth century BC.

It was the Romans who gave the name to the place, which is a corruption of the Latin word Sala, the first name given to the river Bouregreg separating the cities of Rabat and Salé. They then installed a river port which disappeared at the end of the Roman Empire. The Berber tribes then moved lower down, on either side of the BOUREGREG.

On the right bank of the river on the rocky outcrop, was erected by monks sodats in the tenth century, a Ribat (fortified monastery) who gave his name to the city. It is from these that ribats Almohad Berber tribes of the High Atlas Islamized lead their holy war. They help to strengthen the Kasbah and make an important stronghold.

We are then in the late twelfth century, Yacoub El Mansour, powerful Almohad ruler wants to Rabat Alexandria Atlantic. He erected the Hassan Tower in the image of the Koutoubia of Marrakech and the Giralda in Seville. It strengthens the kasbah, surrounding two huge walls with five gates.

It is this prestigious award sovereign who definitively the city the name of El Fath Rabat Ribat Victory. But Yacoub El Mansour dies without completing his work and the city loses its luster. The largest mosque in the world, Hassan Tower, will never be finished, it will be seriously damaged after the earthquake of 1755 and gradually fall into disrepair. The end of the Almohad dynasty begin the decline of Rabat. Kasbah remain inhabited, but gradually lost its original purpose. She no longer attract a foreign fauna increasingly important.

Among them, the so-called Andalusians last Moors expelled from Spain in the seventeenth century. These highly Europeanized Arabs have forgotten their ancestral customs. To secure, they build a wall that bisects the Medina, "the wall of the Andalusians." Rabat then gradually becomes a den of thieves and pirates, the seat of trafficking of all kinds. Over the centuries, the city loses its appeal, and should the existence of a royal palace than the insecurity of the imperial road Fez-Marrakech, Rabat then constituting the sovereign for a fallback.

In 1912, when the introduction of the French protectorate, the Resident General Lyautey seduced by the city as much as its climate and strategic location facing the Atlantic, requires the Sultan Moulay Youssef leaving Fez to Rabat and in fact the capital administrative Morocco. The French occupiers modernize the city while retaining its Moorish character, taking care with few exceptions not to damage this wonderful heritage.

In 1956, at the end of the protectorate, Sultan Sidi Moulay Youssef future King Mohammed V Rabat maintains as its capital. His son Hassan II, in 1961, and his grandson, son Mohammed VI in 1999, confirm this choice, while alternating stays in the various palaces of the Kingdom, in the fashion of sovereign Sharifians, across Morocco.

This is how a small town became the capital of one of Africa's largest country. Rabat has now become the second largest city in the country (one million inhabitants with Salé across Bouregreg), the seat of government, parliament, the home of the royal authority.

It takes advantage of its status as capital: the best-kept and most ornate and most opulent of Morocco. But it is a genuine city of Morocco, the opposite of a soulless capital. To convince you, browse these pages and you will find that Rabat is a city full of life, a true representative city of Morocco.

Dean of the imperial cities, Fez was founded in 789 AD by Idris I, a descendant of the prophet. His son, Sultan Idriss II, decided in 809 to establish the seat of the dynasty. From 818, the Sultan in his city hosts 8,000 families Andalusian Muslims. Seven years later, this new population is strengthened by the arrival of Jews and Kairouan (Tunisia). Rich heritage of these multiple religious, cultural and architectural, Fez quickly became the religious and cultural center of Morocco.


Therefore, despite the dynastic wars and periods where it was not the official capital, the imperial city has never ceased to grow and beautify. Nowadays, Fez is probably the most authentic North African city. Intellectual influence of his Koranic university, its famous mosque Karaouiyne, its treasures of Arab-Andalusian art, the medieval medina of Fez el-Bali and its talented artisans make the guardian of the traditions of Islam.

Idris I, founder At the end of the eighth century, persecuted by the Abbasids of Baghdad Idriss took refuge among the Berbers of central Morocco. In 789, he founded his capital on the right bank of the Oued Fes.

It will be the first Islamic city. His younger son, Idriss II, welcomes hundreds of Arabs from central Maghreb and Spain. The Andalusian district - El Adwa - was founded by Muslim refugees from Spain in 818 Nearly 1400 families Andalusian Cordoba arrivals settled there. Seven years later evicted from Kairouan (now Tunisia), three hundred artisans and traders rich, educated, accustomed to urban life families, are west of the river in the area known as The Sahara Kairouanais veiled, Youssef Ben Tachfine, besieged Fez in 1063 and enters the city in 1069.

The writer Abu Obeid al-Bakri described it as "Fez consists of two cities, one next to each other and surrounded by a wall, they are separated by a river that is very fast turn mills. and which is crossed by bridges. "Both cities have a large population with a strong Jewish minority. The Almoravid winner is quick to shoot down the walls, to establish a single enclosure and building, away, a fortress. Founder of Marrakech, the new ruler does not choose Fez as capital. However, the city experienced an artistic and intellectual growth marked by the construction in 1096 of the COLLEGE OF PATIENTS ALMORAVIDES, Madrassah equipped with a library, and the reopening of the road to the gold saharienne.La pulpit the top of which the preacher at the end of his sermon, preaches the glory of the dynasty in place, is the symbol of political power and religieux.Le Fatimid period panel (above) and the Umayyad era record (the cons ) are evidence of the fierce war between the Fatimids and the Umayyads to the takeover.

In 985, Umayyad Caliph signed his victory by providing the minbar in this new folder. Royal procession. Every Friday the sultant went to the Great Mosque, accompanied by his black guard holding, pageantry and preceded by horsemen and foot soldiers who departed the enthusiastic crowd to leave the field open to the royal procession. He joined the faithful during Friday prayers.

ALMOHAD Abd el-Moumem the middle of the twelfth century the Almohad Sultan Abd el-Moumem captured the city, "frequented by travelers from every country." Its inhabitants traded with Spain, the central Maghreb, Sahara, East and even some Christian countries. Andalusian refugees hosted in Fez, introducing new techniques of silk weaving leather working and metals. At the end of the twelfth century, Fez has one hundred and twenty thousand houses and, in the early thirteenth century, three thousand five hundred factories. The prosperous city.


The APOGEE
In the first half of the thirteenth century, weakness Almohad benefits the Marinids. Fez again became the capital of the empire in 1250, for two centuries. Sovereign mérinides are emerging as great builders. They are a prestigious city of Fez. It's golden age in the early fourteenth century. The Marinids oscillate between two policies: the expansion of their power in North Africa and the resumption of traditional south-north axis oriented towards Spain. Fez, the hub of these operations, is adopting a new administrative city.

Fez el-Jadid. Inside the chamber, stood palaces, mosques, fortresses and barracks. The madrassas are under special care. These spaces serve as prayer centers for policy frameworks to ensure the Islamization of imperial Maghreb unity of North Africa from the west. From the early fifteenth century, international trade is flourishing. Merchants depart for China, India, East Africa, Persia. Fassi sell grain leather and Portugal import tissues and English industrial products exporting leather and carpet in Europe. In 1437, the discovery of the tomb of Idriss runs a popular worship for the city's patron. The Jewish Quarter is created near the palace of the Jamai family.

In the second half of the fifteenth century, Fez is affected by the unrest prevailing in the Kingdom by the end of the Marinids. It is marked by the appearance of the new dynasty Beni Wattas in 1471, with the arrival of Muslims and Jews expelled from Spain in 1492 and, indirectly, by the arrival of the Portuguese in the Atlantic ports.

The success of the South chorfa Saadian allow winners to move to Marrakech in 1524 and capture of Fez in 1549 the city lost its status as capital in favor of Marrakech. In the early seventeenth century, Fez knows plagues, famine, poverty and civil war depopulated the city.


POLITICAL POWER
In 1666, Moulay Rachid restored order, boost trade and again chooses Fez as capital.

After a long period of unrest in the first half of the eighteenth century, the city would return to calm and prestige in the eighteenth century, thanks to the alliance between the army and the leaders of the old University of Qaraouiyne, to seat a real political force. Competition from the emerging economy of Casablanca, Fez maintains its intellectual and commercial religious radiation.

THE PROTECTORATE In 1911, Moulay Hafid, faced with an insurgency, appealed to French troops. A few months later, in March 1912, he signed the Convention of Fez, the Treaty establishing the French protectorate over Morocco. It was then that develops the modern city, called European, following a very regular town plan. This new city coexists with the old and Fez, an ancient city, is able to protect his inner self while opening modernism. Fez gives status capital Rabat later, but will remain the spiritual capital of Morocco that deep in history.

Throughout your visit, Casablanca reveals facades which combines neoclassical (pediments, columns, friezes ...) floral motifs of Art Nouveau and those more geometric art deco ornaments or volumes sober for years "modern".

During the first half of the 20th century, Casablanca has become a frenetic urban laboratory and architecture.

Indeed, from the beginning of the last century, Casablanca is destined to become the mirror of a "new town" and appealed to the most innovative architects to fulfill this mission.

The rise of the white city coincides with that of a new discipline of urban planning.

In Casablanca, Henri Prost was called to the head of the first town planning department to trace the development plan and expansion of Casablanca, which will be adopted in 1915 designed a city organized into zones (residential, commercial , industrial) around a large park like New York. The lanes are wide, the building permit is required: all that later inspire the French regulations and many other modern cities around the world.

Dozens of architects and contractors - French, Italian, Spanish, allemands- flock to Casablanca. Laprade, Marius Boyer, Aldo Manassi the Suraqui brothers, the Perret brothers are in Casablanca a testing ground. They will fill the streets of new works and their works will be broadcast worldwide via the press.

Found in Casablanca all aesthetic influences that have animated Europe: art nouveau, neo-classicism, decorative art, influence of Bauhaus. But these influences are "marocanisées" local materials (zellig, carved wood) and the expertise of maâlems (master craftsmen) are integrated in unique modern compositions. We find such abstract patterns made ​​with traditional mosaics, or typical mixed with floral decorations last fashionable at the time.
Encouraged by this pioneering spirit, the Moroccan -French or developers to compete plupart- audacity to see these rise buildings that still bear their names.

In addition, a new material appears at the beginning of the century reinforced concrete, experienced for the first time in Casablanca by the Perret brothers. The material used to build new structures and forms door overhang, wide hats, sunshades, large openings. To this is added the innovation unprecedented comfort for the time: central heating, empty trash, incinerators, parking in basement, bathroom, often exceeding that of Parisian architecture of the moment.

Reflecting this innovative spirit, Casablanca is a city work and pleasure. Monuments (banks, auto repair shops, cinemas, swimming pools) that punctuate the city of remarkable buildings testify.

Today, Casamémoire Association works to preserve this architectural and urban heritage of the twentieth century and argues for the establishment of a genuine settlement of protection coherent and ambitious scale of the city.

Geography: Tanger is located in the eponymous bay, open to the western end of the Strait of Gibraltar, about 15 kilometers from the Spanish coast. First established on the hill of the Kasbah, the city gradually spread over the mountains bordering the west towards Cape Spartel (Marshan plateau, Old Mountain) and then along the beach towards Cape Malabata. Despite these reliefs, the site presents no significant river system. Climate of Tangier has a Mediterranean diet tempered by oceanic influence and the breath of Chergui, with four distinct seasons: wet and mild winter, warm summer and dry intersaisons moderate rain.
History: If we go by the Berber and Greek mythology, the city of Tangier was founded by the giant Antaeus, son of Poseidon and Gaia and owes its name to Tingis (or Tinga), wife of the founder. Antaeus was his strength in contact with the ground, choked by Hercules in the air now. The tomb of Antaeus is a hill near Tangier, Charf.
Its exceptional and strategic geographical position, has long Tangier a place where lust several successive civilizations and cultures. After a Phoenician presence, he remains two small cemeteries, the city was actually founded in the fourth century BC by the Carthaginians, who made ​​a counter (Tingi).
In 146 BC, to the fall of Carthage, the city is connected to the Mauretania and became a Roman colony (Tingis) related to the province of Spain. Tangier takes such importance, it becomes, to the third century, the Mauritanian capital Tingitane. In the fifth century, Tangier was occupied by the Vandals. Released during the reign of Justinian in the early sixth century, it is attached to the Byzantine empire. General Moussa Ibn Umayyad Noussaà¯r interested in Tangier for its strategic position and it is from there that 711, will begin the conquest of Spain by the troops of Tarik Ibn Ziad, who Gibraltar, among others, its name (Jebel Tarik Mount Tarik). During the five centuries after the dynasties of Morocco, Arabs from Egypt, Tunisia and Spain dispute the sovereignty of Tangier. The Idrisids masters of Volubilis, the Umayyads of Spain, compete on it for over a century. In the middle of the tenth century, the Fatimids of Tunisia to extend their authority. In 1075, the Almoravids become masters until 1149 when the city fell to the Almohads. She enfeoffs Hafsides to Tunis before becoming Merinid in 1274 after three attempts and three failures, the Portuguese by force in 1471 and occupied it for a century after which the Spaniards seize it, to lose it soon by Portugal before being ceded to England in 1661 as dowry brought by Catherine of Braganza her husband Charles II of England. Moulay Ismaà¯l in 1679 (Empire Cherifien Alawites) laid siege to Tangier which was abandoned in 1684, by decision of Charles II estimating its occupation by the British troops unnecessary and overly Coà "Teuse. As a result of the assistance provided by the sultan Abderrahman the Algerian emir Abd El-Kader, the French launched a raid on Tangier retaliation led by the Prince de Joinville who bombed the city in 1844 and dismantle the fortifications. See Article Expedition Morocco (1844). European rivalry for control of the city, door ajar on Morocco, starting in the late nineteenth century. France, Spain, the United Kingdom, Germany increasing diplomatic and trade missions to place their pawns putting the city at the center of international rivalries. In 1880, the Madrid Convention attempts to define the relations between the major powers over Morocco. Driven by Chancellor Bulow who hears Remember way sensational, that Germany will not let get away and that France can not change the political situation in Morocco without the authorization of a new international Conference Guillaume He arrived March 31, 1905 the Imperial Yacht Hohenzollern in Tangier for a few hours and denounces, after a meeting with the uncle of the sultan, the French and Spanish designs on Morocco, causing a diplomatic crisis. In 1906 the Algeciras Conference redefines the positions of each in Africa recognizing the independence of the sultan and affirming the equality of the signatories in the economic field. In 1923 negotiations led to make an international zone free from customs duties. On 24 July 1925, the final status of Tangier is signed by the United Kingdom, Spain, Belgium, Holland, the United States, Portugal, Soviet Union and France, which will join Italy later. The city now has its financial autonomy. It endows an international administration, especially in a legislature, composed of thirty international officials appointed by their respective consuls and nine Moroccans. The era of "International Status" is one of the most international of Tangier, both in culture and in the business, benefiting from the facilities offered to smuggling, espionage and counterfeiting. In June 1940, after the French defeat, the Spanish Nationalist troops occupied Tangier and allow, in March 1941, the installation of the German consulate in mendoubia (Mendoub residence) where the Nazi flag fleet. In March 1944, Spain is from the German consulate mendoubia before removing, Oct. 9, 1945, troops from Tangier to regain its international status. Between 1939 and 1950, Tanger has seen its population triple to more than 150,000 residents. April 10, 1947, Sultan Mohammed V, accompanied by Crown Prince Moulay Hassan (the future Hassan II), delivered the first speech in Tangier, which refers to a unified and independent Morocco attached to the Arab nation. In 1956, with the independence of Morocco, the conference Fedala (8 to 29 October) makes Tangier in Morocco. A Royal Charter maintains the freedom of exchange and trade until 1960, when the Moroccan government abolished the tax benefits and Tangier are left with is identical to that of other cities of the kingdom status. To avoid a significant capital flight, the port of Tangiers has a free zone. The return to Moroccan sovereignty sees the gradual decline of political and cultural influence of Tangier. However, after several years of neglect by the central government, the city of Tangier last ten years experienced spectacular growth, which is feared that it profoundly alters its urban landscape, and more beneficial to interests of off-shore companies to those wretches who crowded into slums now excessive.

Timeline:

Check ninth century BC the Phoenicians on the site of Tangier fourth century BC Passage of the city under Carthaginian control
440 BC Arrival of Romans - Capital of Mauretania Tingitane
706 Ibn Moussa Noussair seized the city. Tangier becomes a Muslim
Tarik Ibn Ziad 711, from Tangier, is to conquer Spain
1437 Portuguese First attempt to take the city
1458 Second Portuguese attempt to seize the city
1464 Third Portuguese attempt to seize the city
1471 The Portuguese seized Tangier
1492 A large number of Jews expelled from Spain pass through Tangier, where many remain
1580 The Spanish seized Tangier
1640 Portuguese seized Tangier
1661 Catherine of Braganza brought in her dowry, Tanger Charles II of England. The city came under English control.
1673 English fortify the city to resist the attacks of the head of Al tribe Ghaà¯lan
1678 Sultan Moulay Ismaà¯l laid siege to the city.
1684 The British destroyed the fortifications and abandon the city Moulay Ismaà¯l. The city is fortified to become a bulwark against the outside world.
1757-1790 Reign of Sultan Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdallah, to protect his subjects, began fencing of western diplomats in Tangier.
1794 Creation of the School of the Spanish Catholic Mission
1794 The Consul of France leaves Rabat to settle in Tangier
1832 Eugene Delacroix stays Tangier who marvels
August 6, 1844 bombing of the city by the Prince de Joinville on the grounds of the asylum granted by the Sultan to the Algerian emir Abd El Kader.
1857 Creation of the British Post
1864 Creation of the Alliance Israelite School
1865 Land Cap Spartel
1865 Installation by France of a national job status
1880 Eastern Telegraph Company connects Tangier to Gibraltar by a cà ¢ ble submarine
1883 The Spanish created the long-distance telephone network
1885 Creation of a French school (Institution tap)
October 3, 1904 signed a secret agreement between Spain and France, to delineate areas of influence. Tanger will have a paticulier status.
March 31, 1905 William II arrives in Tangier to oppose the ambitions of France and Spain to Morocco.
April 7, 1906 the Algeciras Conference, determines the areas of French and Spanish influence. Tangier has a special status.
Construction France in 1909 by a college for girls (future Lycée Saint Aulaire)
1912-1913 Construction of Sultan Moulay Hafid
March 30, 1912 Signing of the Treaty of Fez French Protectorate, by Sultan Moulay Hafid and Regnault, Minister Plenipotentiary of France to Tangiers.
1913 Construction of the French school (future Lycée Regnault)
`1913 Inauguration by Spain Gran Teatro Cervantes
December 18, 1923 Paris Convention: Tangier is an international zone under the sovereignty of the Sultan of Morocco.
May 14, 1924 Ratification of the Paris Convention
June 1, 1925 Entry into force of the international status of the area of Tangier.
1930 Visit to a prominent representative of the Pan Arab movement, the Emir Shakib Arsalan
1935 Creation of a Moroccan school Abdallah Guennoun
June 14, 1940 Occupation of Tangier by Spanish troops
November 20, 1940 Assignment of the city area and the Spanish expulsion of Mendoub (representative of the Sultan)
March 17, 1941 Installing the German consulate in Mendoubia
May 2, 1944 The Spaniards, pushed by the Americans, the Germans are starting Mendoubia
October 9, 1945 Spanish troops leave Tangier
October 11, 1945 A French cruiser brings the Mendoub in Tangier
April 9, 1947 Arrival of Sultan Mohammed Ben Youssef (Mohamed V)
10 April 1947 The Sultan Mohamed V delivers the Speech from Tangier in which he calls for the independence of Morocco.
October 29, 1956 Assignment of Tangier in the Kingdom of Morocco.
1957 Tangier became the summer capital of the Kingdom
August 26, 1957 A Royal Charter stipulates maintaining freedom of exchange and trade for the city of Tangier
1960 Tanger loses its special status and has a free trade zone.
Economy: Second industrial center after Casablanca, its business is diversified: textile, chemical, mechanical, metallurgical and naval. The city currently has four industrial parks of which two have the status of free zone (the FreeZone Tangier Free Zone and port). The infrastructure of the city of the strait is important: a port managing the flow of goods and travelers (more than one million passengers per year) including a marina and fishing port. Railway Station The railway connects the city with Rabat, Casablanca and Marrakech in the south and with Fez and Oujda in the east. The highway has been operational since the summer of 2005 and connects Tangier to Fès via Rabat (250 km) and Settat via Casablanca (330 km). The Ibn Battuta International Airport is Boukhalef, 15 km south-west of the city center; its activity is limited. Ferry lines connect régulièrent Tangier in Algeciras, Tarifa, Barcelona (Spain), Sète, Port-Vendres (France) and Genoa (Italy). Major resort, Tanger has varied hotel and tourist infrastructure, a wide range of more than 7 km, and a medina (old city) which is developing a craft business (leather goods, wood and silver traditional clothes and shoes). Tangier is fast becoming a hub of commercial maritime traffic with the construction of the Tangier Med port which aims to facilitate maritime commerce. The city has a galloping other cities and regions of Morocco exodus, which has quadrupled its population in two decades (1 million inhabitants today against 250,000 in 1982) and allows the emergence of semi poor outlying neighborhoods south of the city where the infrastructure is lacking. The years 2007-2008 will be special for the city of the strait due to the completion of major projects under construction, in this case the second Tanger-Med port and industrial areas, a stadium of 45,000 seats, a center business, tourist facilities, land and city building new motorways and railway lines center. Agriculture in the area of Tangier is tertiary and mainly cereal. Small taxis are blue with a yellow bar
Famous residents: Tangier has long acted as unofficial cultural capital for a number of writers and artists from around the world, first attracted by its climate, scenery, and colorful picturesque of its Jewish community; then, more recently, the facilities offered by this fascinating city in terms of comfort and COA 't life. It attracts developers from all over Europe. There are Spanish, English, Germans, some French, and even some Americans who work them.

Americans:
Paul Bowles (1910-1999), American writer. First a homeowner near the Amrah up at the foot of the Kasbah, the legendary avarice was confined from 1955 to his death in ITESA building, near the former American consulate. He spent a large part of Tanger's Å "uvre.
Tennessee Williams (1911-1983), American writer.
Barbara Hutton (1912-1979), American billionaire (ruined in Tangiers). His palace Sidi Hosni, near Bab Haha, has long hosted the most beautiful evenings of all-Tangier.
William Burroughs (1914-1997), American writer. It was at the Villa Muniria, Magellan Street, where he lived from 1954 to 1957, he wrote Naked Lunch, major text of modern literature. The letters sent to Allen Ginsberg at the same time, and the Interzone drafts, also paint a fascinating portrait of the city.
Brion Gysin (1916-1986), American painter and writer.
Jane Bowles (1917-1973), American writer, is dead, crazy, infatuated with a harpy illiterate and abandoned by her husband at the hospital in Malaga.
Jack Kerouac (1922-1969), American writer. The account of his visit to William Burroughs appears in Stray Angels.
Truman Capote (1925-1984), American writer.
Allen Ginsberg (1926-1997), American poet. He returned twice to visit his friend William Burroughs in Tangier, with Jack Kerouac and Gregory Corso. We owe to his strange habit memoirist beautiful photographic documents on these episodes.


english:
Samuel Pepys (1633-1703), English diarist, in charge of the liquidation of the crown colony in 1662.
George Borrow (1803-1881), English writer and missionary, he evokes the city in the last chapter of The Bible in Spain.
Brian Jones (1942-1969), English musician, founder of the Rolling Stones, was also responsible for the registration of players FLA "you Jajouka, which had a profound influence on rock and jazz 70s.
Terence Francis MacCarthy (1957-), critic and art dealer, a notorious con man, famous as a usurper of McCarthy Mor.


french:
Eugène Delacroix (1798-1863), French painter. It was housed in the former French consulate, currently Dar Niaba, street Siaghines. Tangier is abundantly represented in his notebooks and paintings devoted to his Jewish community.
Henri Matisse (1869-1953), French painter. Residing at the Hotel Villa de France, he painted the view from his window on the St Andrew's Anglican Church, and a marabout street Ben Abbou in the kasbah.
Paul Morand (1888-1976), French writer, based in the Villa Shakespeare (now destroyed, in the street of the same name, Marshan) from 1950 to 1955 devoted several pages to Tanger Sea bathing, L Water under the bridge, Mediterranean, land of surprises, and especially his little romance Hecate and her dogs.
Jean Genet (1910-1986), French writer. Irresistibly attracted in his youth by the city where he sees the home of traitors there stayed only at the end of the 60s, especially with binding Moroccan writer Mohamed Choukri.
Roland Barthes (1915-1980), French writer. His story posthumous Incidents recalls his life in Tangier.


Moroccan:
Ibn Battuta (1300-1370 to) traveler. His grave is visible in an alley neighborhood Fuente Nueva, on the heights of the medina.
Mohamed Choukri (1935-2003), Senior Moroccan writer of his time, born in Nador but deeply rooted in Tangier, he recalls with a mixture of hatred and attachment in his novels and autobiographical: For Bread, Time errors.
Hamri (1936-2002), Moroccan painter.
Tahar Ben Jelloun (1944-), Moroccan writer.
Mohamed Mrabet (1945-), Moroccan painter. Illiterate, he dictated to Paul Bowles (he was the companion and lover) her stories inspired by the attendance of the drug.

A Brief History of Marrakech
The imperial city of Marrakech was founded in 1062 by Sultan Youssef ben Tashufin who deserves the credit for the construction of defensive walls surrounding the city. Lengthened to 19 km during the Almohad dynasties and Saâdiens, beautiful walls, varying in color between pink and red, are punctuated by 200 square towers (borjs) and nine monumental gates. The prosperity of Marrakech at the time made ​​it the capital of an empire stretching from Algiers to the Atlantic and the Mediterranean almost to Senegal.

After 400 years of Berber dynasties from the original mountains of the Atlas tribes (Almoravids, Almohads and Marinids who were in power until 1465) the 16th century saw the rise to power of the Arabs. Rich Saâdiens (1554 - 1603) were responsible for the unification of Morocco. In 1659 the Alawites came to the throne (occupied from 1672 to 1727 by Moulay Ismail, the best known of all the sultans) and still run the country to date.

One of the most representative of this period in Marrakech Moroccan history sites in the Kasbah. In a small garden, the tombs of the 16th century Saadian Dynasty are among the finest examples of Islamic art, especially through the complicated decorations in stucco and cedar ceilings in the mausoleum.

In 1912 the Treaty of Fez recognized Morocco as a French protectorate under the sovereignty of the Sultan. During the 40 years since the country is an important economic progress through the development by the French rail and road infrastructure, the introduction of hydro-power plants, irrigation systems and the introduction of national education. The commercial and residential district of Gueliz, excluding Medina, was completed shortly before Morocco will again become independent in 1956.