Moulay Idriss

About

Moulay Idriss is the burial site of the great-grandson of the prophet Muhammed, who came to Morocco in the 6th century. His tomb was rebuilt and renovated by Moulay Ismail in the late 17 or early 18th century, and its sacred significance meant that non-Muslims weren’t allowed into the town until 1912 (and are still not allowed to enter the tomb). It wasn’t until 2005 that the current King of Morocco, Muhammed VI, issued a decree permitting non-Muslims to stay overnight in the town. Because of its historic inaccessibility, the holy town is still a relaxing place to explore compared to the country’s main tourist destinations. Wandering the winding roads through the historic center, you’re sure to discover brightly painted passageways, traditional architecture, and intricate mosaics. The Moulay Idriss mosque has the only cylindrical minaret in Morocco, and was built using stones from the nearby Roman ruins of Volubilis, and is covered with verses from the quran.