Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sights
Salé is worth a day trip from Rabat. The main entrance to the medina is Bab Bou Haja, on
the southwestern wall, which opens onto Pl Bab Khebaz. From here walk north to the
souqs, and find the Grande Mosquée 500m further northwest along Rue Ras ash-Shajara
(also known as Rue de la Grande Mosquée). Alternatively walk along the road that runs
inside the city walls past Bab Bou Haja and Bab Malka for a more straightforward ap-
proach.
Grande Mosquée
& Medersa
(medersa admission Dh10)
Central to life in pious Salé and one of the oldest religious estab-
lishments in the country, the Grand Mosquée and its
medersa
are superb examples of
Merenid artistry. They were built in 1333 by Almohad Sultan Abou al-Hassan Ali. The
mosque is closed to non-Muslims, but the splendid
medersa
is open as a museum. Similar
to those in Fez or Meknès, it takes the form of a small courtyard surrounded by a gallery.
The walls are blanketed in intricate decoration, from the
zellij
base to the carved stucco
and elegant cedar woodwork.
Small student cells surround the gallery on the upper floor, from where you can climb
to the flat roof, which has excellent views of Salé and across to Rabat. The guardian who
shows you around will expect a small tip.
MOSQUE, MEDERSA
Shrines
GOOGLE MAP
,
the patron saint of Salé. This respected Sufi died in 1604 and is revered by
Moroccan travellers in much the same way as St Christopher is revered among Christians.
An annual pilgrimage and procession in his honour makes its way through the streets of
Salé on the eve of Mouloud (the Prophet's birthday). On this day, local fishermen dress in
elaborate corsair costumes, while others carry decorated wax sculptures and parade
through the streets, ending up at the shrine of the
marabout
(saint).
ben Ashir at-Taleb
OFFLINE MAP
NOTABLE BUILDING
GOOGLE MAP
in the cemetery northwest of the mosque.
Souqs
SOUQ
