Moroccan architecture reflects the country’s identity: plural and mixed! The evidence is present in several architectural styles visible in the land of beautiful Morocco and many testimonies about the civilizations and peoples who wrote the history of Morocco.
Moroccan architecture
Moroccan architecture is the architectural style utilized in Morocco throughout its history and into the present day. The country’s architecture reflects its varied geography and long history, shaped by waves of immigrants and military conquest. This architectural history includes sites from the Roman and Amazigh eras and colonial and modern buildings from the 20th century…
ancient architecture
Ancient buildings, or what’s left of them, can be seen in northern Morocco. Volubilis and its Roman city have been on the list of UNESCO heritage sites since 1997. Tingitane was once the capital of Mauritania. It was built on the AmazighWali on a beautiful site with olive trees and swimming places. In the sun. In the shadow of the village of Moulay Idriss and the first hills of the Zerhoun Mountains, the Romans left behind the capital, thermal baths, forum, Arc de Triomphe, basilica, and homes with mosaics. The size of this site should make it bigger than other ancient sites in Morocco, like Lixus and Banassa, and the archaeological site of Chellah in Rabat.
Amazigh style: Moroccan architecture
The origins of Amazigh architecture lie in the past. Still, it has left its stamp on the regions of southern Morocco, where it is regarded as a symbol. Ksour, kasbah, and Agadir are all examples of fortified villages. They are all decorated with traditional geometric patterns that show off the beauty of the Amazigh style.
Amazigh buildings are made from bare soil and other materials that are easy to find in the area. The strength and beauty of Amazigh architecture come from this organic material called stony earth. The raw-earth architecture is simple, natural, and ideal with the South’s landscapes.
Portuguese influence
El Jadida, Essaouira, Asilah, Azemmour or Safi… These cities have buildings that look like they were built when the Portuguese were in Morocco. The Atlantic fortifications remind us of when Mazagan (now known as El Jadida) and Mogador (now known as Essaouira) were formidable military strongholds. Even though “Algarve beyond” is no longer a thing, these Moroccan cities still have great examples of Portuguese architecture, like long sandy beaches that let in a lot of light.
The Arab-Andalusian style
Even though the Arab-Andalusian style doesn’t show the wide range of architecture in Morocco, it’s the one that comes to mind when we think of the Cherifian Kingdom. The mosque and other buildings with Arabic calligraphy and arabesques demonstrate Andalusia’s cultural evolution.
The Almoravids brought the Arab-Andalusian style from Cordoba. It peaked during the Almohad dynasty when giant minarets like the Koutoubia (Marrakech) and the Hassan Tower were built (Rabat). Purity and grandeur are two words that describe the work of Almohad architects and craftspeople. Under the Merinids, the decorations were inspired by the fine art of the Nasrids of Granada, so they were no longer plain. The Al Attarine medersa in Fez, the Bou Inania medersa in Fez, and the Abu Al Hassan medersa in Salé are great examples of the Merinids’ bias. The most significant builders of Morocco, like the Saadian sultan Ahmed El Mansour and the Alaouite sovereign Moulay Ismail, were born during the following dynasties… Even if the style inspires architects and artisans today, it can’t be as creative as it was in the past.
Colonial architecture
The colonial architecture of Morocco propels the traveler into the first half of the 20th century. Casablanca and Rabat, living in the French protectorate era, saw a new urban space flourish under the impetus of Marshal Lyautey, Resident General at the time. New European districts, rising alongside the historic medinas, feature colonial houses, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and neo-Moorish or Bauhaus-style architecture.
Home of the craziest urban and architectural experiments of the time, Casablanca, “Deir Beida,” the white city, is then able to compete with the Haussmannian ensembles of Paris. The same architectural topo in northern Morocco’s cities, marked by Spanish colonial architecture.
Contemporary style
When you think of Morocco, this style is not the first thing that comes to mind. But modern architecture could change what the Kingdom looks like in the years to come. We’ve already talked about the Morocco Mall in Casablanca, the National Library in Rabat, and the head office of Maroc Telecom in Rabat. Most recent projects? The Christian de Portzamparc and Rachid Andaloussi-designed CasArts Grand Theater in Casablanca, the Zaha Hadid-designed Grand Theater in Rabat, and the continent’s highest tower, to be completed in Rabat’s Bou Regreg Valley in a few years.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Moroccan architecture called?
Moroccan architecture, reflecting the country’s cultural history, stands out for several aspects.
First, it integrates the symbolic geometry of Islamic art, visible in mosaic, wood carving, and plaster, which feature intricate patterns.
Traditional Moroccan dwellings highlight central inner courtyards adorned with fountains, plants, and other decorations, providing peaceful spaces for residents.
Riads, traditional Moroccan residences, are characterized by their inner courtyards, tiles, plaster decorations, and fountains.
Mosques, such as the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, impress with their dimensions and architectural details, often adorned with mosaics and sculptures. Kasbahs, traditional forms of Moroccan houses, serve as fortifications integrating embellishments in tiling and sculpture.
The complexity of patterns, decorative accents, and the creation of welcoming environments thus characterize Moroccan architecture.
How would you describe Moroccan architecture?
Moroccan architecture, a testament to the country’s cultural history, is distinguished by emblematic elements.
First, complex geometric patterns, stemming from Islamic art, adorn the tiles, woodwork, and plaster of Moroccan buildings.
Inner courtyards, embellished with fountains and plants, are also typical of this architecture, both in residences and public places.
Bright colors such as blue, green, and yellow often dominate, found in tiles and plaster.
Artistic details, including sculptures, mosaics, and plasterwork, adorn religious structures, private residences, and civic buildings, imparting a rich and distinctive aesthetic.
Moroccan architecture results from a harmonious blend of Islamic, Amazigh, and European aesthetics, giving it a unique identity.
Elaborate patterns, vibrant colors, and sumptuous details create a welcoming and authentic atmosphere characteristic of Moroccan architecture.
What is the most famous architecture in Morocco?
In Morocco, numerous prestigious examples of Islamic and traditional Moroccan architecture are emblematic.
Among them, the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, completed in 1993, stands out for its imposing size and meticulous details, notably its 210-meter minaret.
The Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakech, dating back to the 12th century, is a symbol of the city with its imposing minaret and intricate tiles.
The Bahia Palace in Marrakech, built in the late 19th century, charms with its sophisticated decoration, lush gardens, and exquisite artistic details.
The Kasbah of the Udayas in Rabat, constructed in the 12th century, offers splendid gardens, elaborate tiling, and beautifully decorated arches along the Bou Regreg River.
Lastly, the Ben Youssef Madrasa in Marrakech, a 14th-century Islamic school, impresses with its majestic atrium, intricately tiled floors, and finely crafted plasterwork.
These buildings illustrate the richness of Moroccan Islamic and traditional architecture, bearing witness to the country’s exceptional cultural heritage.
What design style is Moroccan?
Moroccan design, born from a unique blend of Islamic, Arab, and Amazighinfluences, reflects the rich cultural history of the country.
Its vibrant colors, complex patterns, and ornamental details are its distinctive features.
First and foremost, the color palette of Moroccan design includes vivid tones such as blue, green, orange, as well as natural shades of brown and beige.
Complex geometric patterns, inspired by Islamic art and architecture, characterize the Moroccan style, found in tiles, textiles, and other decorative elements.
Moroccan aesthetics are also distinguished by elaborate carvings, mosaics, and plasterwork, notably on furniture and doors.
The varied use of textiles, such as woven rugs and embroidered fabrics, contributes to the authenticity of Moroccan design.
Lastly, Moroccan architecture and interior decoration have evolved over time by integrating Islamic, Amazigh, and European influences, offering an eclectic and modern blend.
The bright colors, intricate patterns, and ornamental details of Moroccan design create warm and welcoming spaces.