A quiet and peaceful seaside town located between Rabat and Casablanca, Mohammedia is home to an ancient kasbah built in 1768 under the leadership of Sultan Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah. Renovated in 2013, its seven hectares, surrounded by a wall, house shops and homes.
Walkers will succumb to its historical and architectural charm as they enter the kasbah through the main gate built of red bricks, cross the fondouks, these caravanserais that once housed traders, goods, and mounts, and lose themselves in the maze of narrow streets or the tangled alleys of the souk. Fruits, vegetables, and clothing are displayed in abundance while the clamor of vendors and the crowds ring in the ears. Café terraces follow one after the other, where regulars sip strong black coffees.
At the center of the kasbah is the fish market, which also houses numerous eateries where you can enjoy fresh seafood, grilled or fried fish, accompanied by a spicy tomato sauce, olives, and mint tea. The walk will end at the foot of the El Atiq Mosque, also known as the "White Mosque" because of its immaculate whiteness. The building is striking in its simplicity and minimalism, with its only ornamentation being a frieze painted in green, a sacred color in Muslim tradition. The interior courtyard paved with zelliges inspires serenity. From the central fountain escapes the harmonious lapping of clear water, further intensifying this feeling of tranquility.
Once evening fell, it was customary to close the doors of the kasbah, and calm replaced the daily hustle and bustle, awaiting new days just as lively and effervescent.
