Why did a Moroccan Sultan build a new capital in the 17th century?
In short: Sultan Moulay Ismail transformed Meknes into a grand imperial capital between 1672 and 1727. Seeking to escape the influence of traditional elites in Fes and secure a defensible base against regional threats, he created a unique urban landscape that harmoniously blended Islamic planning with European architectural concepts.
Founded in 1061 by the Almoravids as a military stronghold, Meknes takes its name from the Berber tribe Meknassa. While the city saw various periods of development under the Merinids, it reached its zenith under the Alaouite dynasty. Sultan Moulay Ismail, who reigned from 1672 to 1727, elevated the city to imperial status. His decision to relocate the capital was strategic; he faced skepticism toward Fes and Marrakesh, where traditional elites and religious scholars often opposed his rule. By establishing his base in Meknes, Ismail sought to exercise absolute power, free from the political constraints of established urban centers.
The city’s layout reflects a princely urbanism, characterized by massive ramparts that reach 15 meters in height. These fortifications, which define the Medina and the Kasbah, are considered an exemplary testimony to North African fortified towns. Behind these walls, the city contains a dense collection of twenty-five mosques, ten hammams, palaces, and vast granaries. The architecture is noted for its Hispano-Moorish style and the use of earthen cobwork, a technique common in sub-Saharan regions of the Maghreb. The imperial city is further distinguished by its long corridors, blind walls, and extensive gardens.
Today, Meknes faces the challenges of balancing its historic identity with modern urban pressures. Rapid, poorly controlled development has rendered parts of the city’s fabric fragile, leading to the erosion of traditional features. In response, the Municipal Council created a Service for Historic Monuments in 2003 to oversee rehabilitation programs. These efforts include the restoration of monumental gates and the development of architectural charts to protect the city's universal value. Despite these initiatives, institutional capacity building remains essential to ensure that the conservation of this 17th-century capital receives the attention required for its long-term survival.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Historic City of Meknes
- Also: Meknes
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