Volubilis; ancient Roman architecture
Moulay Idriss (near Meknes); picture taken from Volubilis ruins
Ancient courtyard and mosiacs; proof of Roman influence on "modern" Moroccan architecture
Ancient Kasbah wall/door leading to center of Takyimt (local ksar near Aoufouss) - oldest ksar in the area.
Men working on new cement house attached to old mud wall; nice scaffolding!!!
Mama Amina making bread in the outdoor clay oven behind our apartment.
Fire is fueled with old date palm branches and fallen sticks/twigs.
Em trying her hand at bread baking.
Mama Amina with the finished product
Yummy, fresh baked bread (the women here make this every day or every-other-day)!!!It's going to be a hot one folks!
It has been averaging close to the 90's and we just hit May. It is supposed to hover around the mid 40's and close to the 50's during the summer. That is 50 degrees Celsius. I'll let you do the math. If I return to the states 30lbs lighter, it's not because of some great diet or workout routine I've been on.
Because of the extreme changes in temperature that happen in the winters and summers here in the Sahara, people have had to adapt to it. The unique architecture here in Morocco is one of the byproducts of this adaption.
Moroccan Architecture: A Briefing
The geography of Northern Africa, all the way to the Middle East, consists mainly of rocky plateaus and desert. The Arabs, which have occupied this area for thousands of years, have utilized the rock and dirt that is found in this region to build their homes and villages. Historical structures consisted of thick, sometimes up to 5ft thick, mud/grass walls. Date tree trunks (or available timber) were then used horizontally to make up second floors and roof tops. Taking into consideration the climate, these structures would be built, almost on top of each other, in large permanent encampments called Ksars or Kasbahs (old castle like structures surrounded by other buildings). These original structures would eventually grow to be the great medinas of Fes, Meknes, and Marrakech.
The influence of Islam contributed to the simplicity of the design. On the exterior there would be no thrills, no windows to the inside or a lot of color, mainly to protect people from the climate, but also to add privacy. Inside the walls one would find beautiful mosaics and tiled rooms filled with colorful furniture and lavish decoration. It is said that the inside of the home is one's sanctuary from the outside, where only work and business is conducted. You leave to go to work, and you come home to your beautiful get-way.
In Morocco, where, not only the Arabs, but also the Romans, Spanish, and French have occupied, you will find a crazy melting pot of architecture. Now you will find beautiful interiors that have private courtyards (roman influence) with Spanish tiled roofs, and windows open to the outside world (French European influence). The architecture is definitely unique, interesting, mysterious and community oriented.
I have provided a small sampling of some pics that we have taken. I will try and add more as we continue to explore Morocco!
Enjoy!
- Seansean
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