Meknes and Volubilis, Morocco

1st photo: Thursday Gate, Meknes

Visitors haggling with a street vendor over the price of his peaches.  Behind is the ornate 12th century Thursday Gate, so-called because of its proximity to a camel market which was held on Thursdays.

The Thursday Gate (Bab el-Khemis)  is the entrance to the Mellah, the medina's Jewish Quarter.


2nd photo : Meknes

Garish tourist transport in front of the medina's walls.  The total length of Meknes' town walls is an astonishing 40 kms.


3rd photo : Volubilis

In a stunning valley location between Meknes and Fez are the remains of the former Roman capital of Mauretania.  This 40 hectare archaeological site has hitherto been only partly excavated.

The site remained inhabited until destroyed by the 1755 Lisbon earthquake.  Today's most lofty inhabitants are the stork family nesting on top of a pillar; the jumble of sticks just under their nest provides housing for numerous sparrows.