Imperial Cities, Middle Atlas & the East - Morocco - page 656

(Meknès Museum; Route Dar Smen; admission Dh10; 9am-noon & 3-6.30pm Wed-Mon) Housed in
the gracious old Tribunal building, this new museum features metalwork, farming imple-
ments, clothing, jewellery, carpets and ceramics. Look out for the remarkable set of ar-
mour made of copper and encrusted with coral beads, turquoise studs and coins. This war-
rior was well protected with helmet, breastplate and gauntlets.

Medersa Bou Inania
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(Rue Najjarine; admission Dh10; 9am-noon & 3-6pm) Opposite the Grande Mosquée, the
Medersa Bou Inania is typical of the exquisite interior design that distinguishes Merenid
monuments. It was completed in 1358 by Bou Inan, after whom a more lavish medersa in
Fez is also named. This medersa is a good display of the classic Moroccan decorative
styles - the zellij base, delicate stucco midriff and carved olive-wood ceiling.
Students aged eight to 10 years once lived two to a cell on the ground floor, while older
students and teachers lived on the 1st floor. Anyone can climb onto the roof for views of
the green-tiled roof and minaret of the Grande Mosquée nearby, but the medersa is other-
wise closed to non-Muslims.

MEDERSA

Mausoleum of Sidi ben Aïssa
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Sidi ben Aïssa gave rise to one of the more unusual religious fraternities in Morocco,
known for their self-mutilation and for their imperviousness to snake bites. His followers
gather here at his mausoleum in April from all over Morocco and further afield. The
mausoleum is closed to non-Muslims.

MAUSOLEUM