Lose Yourself in the Ancient Cities of Morocco
Morocco, a mysterious country located at the northwest tip of the African continent, attracts countless travelers with its unique culture, rich history and magnificent scenery. And in the ancient city of Morocco, you seem to step into the tunnel of time, every piece of masonry, every alley carries the story of the years, so you can not help but get lost in the charm of the millennium.
1. Ancient City of Fes: the labyrinthine legend of the millennium
The ancient city of Fes is one of the oldest royal cities in Morocco, built in the 8th century AD. It is like a huge labyrinth, interwoven by more than 9,000 narrow alleys, it is said that even the locals may be lost in it. The first thing that strikes you as you walk into Fes is the towering walls and ancient gates, which seem to speak of the splendor and majesty of the past.
As you walk along the winding alleys, you will see traditional Moroccan handicraft stores lined up on both sides of the street. Exquisite leather products, gorgeous mosaic tiles, delicate wood carvings, each exudes a strong artistic flavor. The leather dyeing workshop is even more famous here. When you approach the dyeing area, you can smell the unique smell of leather mixed with dyes. Inside the workshop, the colorful dyeing tanks are like a huge palette, and the craftsmen are busy shuttling in and out, dipping and dyeing a piece of leather into a variety of bright colors. This ancient dyeing process has been inherited for hundreds of years, which makes people can't help but marvel at the wisdom and skills of the Moroccan people.
In the ancient city of Fes, you will also find numerous ancient mosques, scripture schools and palaces. The Karawein Mosque and University is one of the oldest continuously functioning universities in the world, and its architecture is a fusion of Islamic and traditional Moroccan elements, with fine arches, ornate domes and delicate decorations, making it seem as if you are in a temple of art. While the Buinania Scripture College is famous for its exquisite wood carvings and delicate mosaic decorations, the sunlight through the carved windows sprinkled on the ground, forming a piece of light and shadow interlaced patterns, breathtakingly beautiful.
As you walk through the alleys of the old city of Fes, you will occasionally rub shoulders with the locals. Dressed in traditional costumes, some of them are leisurely drinking mint tea in the street-side teahouses, while others are busy running their businesses. Here, you can feel the simple living atmosphere and hospitable character of the Moroccan people. If you lose your way, ask the locals for help, they will enthusiastically guide the way for you, and even invite you to their homes as guests to share their life stories.
2. Old Marrakech: The Red Dream and the Hustle and Bustle
The Old City of Marrakech is also known as the “Red City” because most of its walls and buildings are constructed with the unique red clay of the region, which presents a brilliant red color under the sunlight, giving people a feeling of enthusiasm and exuberance. This ancient city was built in the 11th century A.D. and used to be the political, economic and cultural center of Morocco.
When you come to the old city of Marrakech, you can't miss the famous Jemaa Al Fna Square. This square is the heart of Marrakech and one of the busiest squares in Africa. During the day, the square is filled with various stalls, some selling fresh fruits, special snacks, some displaying handicrafts, souvenirs, and some jugglers performing juggling, magic and other programs, lively and extraordinary. Here, you can taste the traditional Moroccan cuisine, such as Taji pot stew, couscous, roast lamb and so on, the rich fragrance fills the air and makes people's mouth water.
When night falls, the scene in the square is even more unique. Numerous food stalls were lit up, illuminating the square as if it were daytime. At this time, the square is more and more people, in addition to tourists, there are many local residents. Everyone sat around the food stalls, savoring the food while enjoying the performances of the street performers. In one corner of the square, there were also some soothsayers divining the fate of people, and the mysterious atmosphere attracted many curious tourists.
In addition to the Djemaa Al Fna Square, there are many other attractions in the Old City of Marrakech that are worth a visit. The Bahia Palace is a 19th-century palace building, its interior decoration is extremely luxurious, exquisite frescoes, ornate ceilings, spacious courtyards, all show that the Moroccan aristocracy at the time of luxury life. The Koutoubia Mosque is one of the landmarks of Marrakech, with a 70-meter-high minaret that stands out in the old city. It is said that when the mosque was being built, the craftsmen mixed a lot of precious spices into the mud, which makes the mosque still emit a light fragrance.
Walking around the Old City of Marrakech, you will be captivated by the city's unique charm. The red buildings, lively squares, rich culinary culture and mysterious religious atmosphere intermingle with each other, making you feel as if you were in a dreamy world. However, the alleys of this ancient city are also like a labyrinth, and you can get lost in them if you are not careful. However, it is this disorientation that gives you the opportunity to discover more surprises hidden in the corners.
3. Ancient city of Chefchaouen: a blue fairy tale world
The Old Town of Chefchaouen is located in the Rif Mountains in the north of Morocco. This small town is famous for its unique blue architecture, as if it is a dream place coming out of a fairy tale. There are various claims about why the ancient city of Chefchaouen is blue. One theory is that the blue color can repel mosquitoes because there are more mosquitoes here in summer; another theory is that the blue color represents the sky and paradise, which is the local residents' yearning for a better life.
Walking into the old city of Shevshavan, you will be shocked by the blue color. Blue houses, blue streets, blue walls, even the steps and porches are blue. Under the sunlight, the blue buildings reflect different shades, light blue, dark blue, sky blue and lake blue intertwine with each other, constituting an absolutely beautiful picture. Strolling in the alleys of the old city, it seems as if time has slowed down, and you can enjoy the tranquility and beauty to the fullest.
Although the old city of Chefchaouen is not big, there are many small specialty stores and cafes. In these small stores, you can buy some souvenirs with local characteristics, such as blue ceramic products, hand-woven blankets and so on. And in the cafes, you can order a cup of aromatic coffee, sit on the open-air seats and quietly enjoy the blue scenery around you. The cats here have also become a unique scenery of the old city, either lying lazily in the sun on the street, or walking freely in the alleys, complementing the blue buildings and adding a sense of vitality and vigor to this small city.
In addition to enjoying the blue buildings, the natural scenery around the Old Town of Chefchaouen is also very charming. The magnificent view of the Rif Mountains, with its rolling hills, lush forests and crystal clear streams, allows you to enjoy the charm of the Old Town while also appreciating the ingenuity of nature. You can choose to hike along the mountain paths, breathing in the fresh air, listening to the songs of the birds and feeling the embrace of nature.
It's easy to lose yourself in the ancient city of Shevshavan, but that loss is a happy one. Here, you can get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, immersed in the blue fairy tale world, so that the soul gets a complete relaxation and baptism.
Morocco's ancient cities are like a heavy history book, each page is full of stories; and like a gorgeous painting, each stroke depicts a unique landscape. Losing yourself in these ancient cities is an unforgettable travel experience. You can explore the ancient craftsmanship in the alleys of the Old City of Fes, soak up the lively atmosphere in the squares of the Old City of Marrakech, and find inner peace in the blue world of the Old City of Chefchaouen. Whether you're a history and culture buff, a culinary explorer or a photography enthusiast, Morocco's ancient cities have something to offer that will keep you coming back for more. The moment you set foot in one of these ancient cities, you begin a marvelous journey through time and space, and getting lost in them may just be another way to find yourself.
