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Kasbah of the Udayas Rabat

A Brief History

Kasbah of the Udayas in Rabat is a historic citadel on the site of the original ribat that gave the city its name. Narrow streets inside the kasbah are a tourist attraction and next to them lies the Bou Regreg River. The Almoravids built this kasbah in 1140 to defend themselves against the Almohad threat. The Almohad wall that surrounds the kasbah is around 2.50 m wide and 8 to 10 m tall.
After the death of Yaqub al-Mansur, th kasbah was deserted for many centuries. Then in the 17th century, kasbah was sprung to life again. Many Muslim refugees  arrived in thousands after being expelled from Spain.

This path leads to the Kasbah of the Udayas Rabat
This path leads to the Kasbah of the Udayas Rabat
Fortified kasbah seen from the main road
Fortified kasbah seen from the main road
One of the defensive tower of the Kasbah of Udayas Rabat
One of the defensive tower of the Kasbah of Udayas Rabat
A residential street inside the kasbah
A residential street inside the kasbah
Walls of this small residential area has very distinctive blue and white colours
This beautiful knows how to pose for the camera
This beautiful knows how to pose for the camera
A house sits on the top of the defensive wall
A house sits on the top of the defensive wall
Defensive tower in the walls of the Kasbah of the Udayas Rabat
Defensive tower in the walls of the Kasbah of the Udayas Rabat
Main reason to build this wall was to protect the city
Main reason to build this wall was to protect the city
Overlooking the city of Rabat while standing in front of kasbah gate
Overlooking the city of Rabat while standing in front of kasbah gate

Bab Oudaia & Garden

The impressive looking Bab Oudaia is ceremonial and defensive gateway. Elaborately decorated with a series of carved arches. Nowadays, it only opes occasionally, most visitors enter through a much smaller nearby gate. A beautiful Jardin des Oudayas (Oudayas Garden) and exquisite Musée des Oudayas (Oudayas Museum) are also within the walls of kasbah. Inside the museum there is an impressive array of traditional Moroccan artwork, carpets, astronomical instruments, and some religious artifacts.

Bab Oudaia is a beautiful gate in the walls of the city
Bab Oudaia is a beautiful gate in the walls of the city
The Almohads built this gate in 1195
The Almohads built this gate in 1195
General population uses another gate on the side
Arch of the Bab Oudaia - seen from inside the old medina
Arch of the Bab Oudaia - seen from inside the old medina
Decorative details of Bab Oudaia - Kasbah of the Udayas Rabat
Decorative details of Bab Oudaia - Kasbah of the Udayas Rabat
A lush green garden was inside the courtyard of the Kasbah Museum
A lush green garden was inside the courtyard of the Kasbah Museum
Garden of the Kasbah Museum
Garden of the Kasbah Museum
A date palm next to the defensive wall is laden with fruit
A date palm next to the defensive wall is laden with fruit
One of the defensive towers of the Kasbah of the Udayas Rabat
One of the defensive towers of the Kasbah of the Udayas Rabat
The Bou Regreg River seen from a cafe beside the museum
The Bou Regreg River seen from a cafe beside the museum
Koi fish in a pond beside the museum of the Kasbah of the Udayas Rabat
Koi fish in a pond beside the museum of the Kasbah of the Udayas Rabat
Interior of the Kasbah Museum - it wasn't allowed to take photos of the exhibitions
Interior of the Kasbah Museum - it wasn't allowed to take photos of the exhibitions
These piegons were alive inside the museum
These piegons were alive inside the museum