!!!Rabat
Photos by Stanislav Sedov and Sergey Shandin,
members of the [AirPano Team|Geography/About/Consortium/AirPano,_Team] that is a member of the [global-geography Consortium|Geography/About/Consortium]. \\

20 September 2017

with kind permission of [AirPano|http://www.AirPano.com]

The ancient city of Rabat is located 90 kilometres away from Casablanca
on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. Whilst Casablanca is the largest
city and the centre of the economic life of the country, Rabat is its
capital and the main point on its political map: the place of the
kingdom’s institutions, embassies and the Royal Palace.

The first settlements appeared on this territory in the 3rd century BC,
but Rabat began its existence as a city only in 1146 when the Almohad
ruler Abd al-Mu'min founded a full-scale fortress on the bank of the
river Bou Regreg, which was later used for attacks on Andalusia. The
contemporary name was acquired in 1170 initially as Ribatu l-Fath,
meaning "stronghold of the victory”.

[{Image src='01_Kasbah of the Udayas.jpg' caption='Kasbah of the Udayas. Rabat, Morocco\\© [AirPano|https://www.AirPano.com]' alt='' width='900' popup='false' height='603'}]

Rabat witnessed its greatest growth during the reign of Yaqub al-Mansur,
the third Almohad Caliph and the grandson of Abd al-Mu'min. In the end
of the 12th century, he moved the capital from Marrakesh to Rabat, then
built a lot of important constructions starting with the Kasbah of the
Udayas. This citadel that has survived till nowadays is the brightest
example of the Moorish architecture of that time. Inside the fortress,
there are streets of traditional dwelling buildings of white and blue
colours. In the northern part, there is an observation point viewing the
sea.

Yaqub al-Mansur also initiated the construction of what would have been
the world's largest mosque, but now there are only two hundred fragments
of the sandstone remnants. Misfortune also chased the intention to built
a giant Hassan Minaret. It was supposed to be 86 meters high, but with
the death of Yaqub in 1199 the construction stopped having reached only
44 meters. The look of the Hassan Tower resembles the Giralda of
Seville, which was constructed approximately at the same period of time.
Both of the towers were modelled on the minaret based on the 70-meters
high Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakesh.

[{Image src='02_Rabat.jpg' caption='Rabat, Morocco\\© [AirPano|https://www.AirPano.com]' alt='' width='900' popup='false' height='578'}]

Yaqub's death initiated a period of decline: by 1515 hardly a hundred
dwelling houses had remained in the city, the economic power had moved
to Fes. Only in the 17th century, a new life of Rabat began: the Moors
that were exiled from Spain found a refuge here and started to actively
revive economics.

In 1912 the French invaded Morocco and established the protectorate.
Rabat again became the capital and in 1956 with the achievement of
independence Mohammed V, the then King of Morocco, chose to have the
capital remain at Rabat.

[{Image src='03_Mausoleum of Mohammed at night.jpg' caption='Mausoleum of Mohammed at night. Rabat, Morocco\\© [AirPano|https://www.AirPano.com]' alt='' width='900' popup='false' height='588'}]

Turbulent historical events did not prevent the city from saving its
ancient monuments. In addition to the citadel and the minaret, Rabat
possesses such an interesting landmark as the Royal Palace of Mohammed
VI located in the old part of the city called the Medina. The residence,
built in 1864, was created in a traditional Arabic style: it is a long
two-storey building of yellow and orange colours with a green roof and
small turrets decorated with carved arches, paintings and mosaics. High
walls and old cannons standing at the entrance protect the residence
from unwelcome visitors; but those who after all can get inside the
residence will be able to enjoy the blooming gardens with a fountain
inhabited by fish, snakes and turtles.

[{Image src='04_Medina.jpg' caption='Medina. Rabat, Morocco\\© [AirPano|https://www.AirPano.com]' alt='' width='900' popup='false' height='558'}]

Ahl Fas mosque, the Royal Family mosque, is located on the Royal Palace
square. Every Friday in the afternoon Mohammed VI performs his prayer
and people can witness their ruler. In the eastern part of the city,
just where the remnants of the Hassan mosque and minaret stand, the
mausoleum dedicated to Mohammed V and his sons was built in the 1960s.
It is another significant sight of Rabat.

The western culture is represented by St. Peter's Cathedral created in
the Art Deco architectural tradition back in 1921. And one more
remarkable thing about Rabat is the abundance of vegetation: lots of
parks were created here, the streets and avenues are hedged by trees and
bushes.

AirPano panoramas captured from above will let you become more
acquainted with the ancient wonderful city of Rabat.

\\ \\
[10 panoramas of Rabat|Geography/Africa/Morocco/Pictures/Panoramas_of_Rabat]

[{SET customtitle='Rabat (AP)'}]












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