Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Islam takes root in Morocco under Idriss I and Idriss II, who make Fez the epitome of
Islamic art, architecture and scholarship and the capital of their Idrissid empire.
8th century
Through shared convictions and prudent alliances, Arab caliphates control an area that ex-
tends across the Mediterranean and well into Europe, just 320km shy of Paris.
1062
With the savvy Zeinab as his wife and chief counsel, Berber leader Youssuf ben Tachine
founds Marrakesh as a launching pad for Almoravid conquests of North Africa and Europe.
1069
The Almoravids take Fez by force and promptly begin remodelling the place, installing
mills and lush gardens and cleaning up the city's act with running water and hammams.
1082
Almoravid control stretches south to Ghana and Timbuktu, east to Algiers, and north from
Lisbon to Spain's Ebro River, near Barcelona.
1121-30
Almohad spiritual leader Mohammed ibn Tumart loudly condemns Almoravid indulgence
in music and wine, but also champions scientiic reasoning and political organisation
based on a written constitution.
1147
The Almohads inally defeat the Almoravids and destroy Marrakesh after a two-year siege,
paving the way for Yacoub el-Mansour and his architects to outdo the Almoravids with an
all-new Marrakesh.
1199
A vast swath of prime Mediterranean commercial real estate from Tripoli to Spain is con-
solidated under Almohad control.
1276
Winds of change blow in from the Atlas with the Zenata Berbers, who oust the Almohads
and establish the Merenid dynasty with strategic military manoeuvres and even more stra-
tegic marriages.
