Kasbah Quarter

Bab Agunao, Saadian tombs and El Badi Palace. Bab Agnaou meaning the gate of the blacks marks the entrance to the Kasbah quarter. To get to it, follow rue Bab Agnaou from Djemaa el Fna or enter the medina at Bab Rab. The Kasbah quarter dates from the late 12th century and the reign of the Almohad Sultan Ya'qub Al Mansour. Bab Agaou is also Almohad. The gateway itself is surrounded by a series of arches within a rectangle of floral designs with a shell or palmette in each corner and an outer band of Kufic inscription.
The road from the gate leads to rue de la Kasbah, turn right along here and then take te first left. On this road is the much restored Kasbah Mosque, dating from 1190. It is almost square in shape. The minaret has the 'Darj ou Ktaf' and 'Shabka' (net) motifs on alternate sides, with a background of green tiles, above which is a band of coloured tiles. The square lantern also has geometric designs. The minaret is not as impressive as that of the Koutoubia Mosque but is worth noting en route to the Saadian Tombs. Inside, by the mihrab, the pillars sport 'recycled' capitals. The entrance to these lies directly to the right of the mosque.
The late 16th century Saadian Tombs are the mausoleums for the dynasty's Sultan's and their families, and were only discovered in 1917, having been sealed off by Moulay Ismail. There is a series of chambers and tombs off a small garden with carved cedarwood and plasterwork which is in a remarkably good condotion. The design is infuenced strongly by the Andalusian tradition. The mihrab of the first main mausoleum is particularly impressive, and in this room is the tomb of Moulay Yazid. The second room contains the tomb of Ahmad al Mansour with finely curved culumns. The second and older mausoleum was built for the tombs of Ahmad al Masur's mother, Lalla Messaouda and Mohammed es-Sheikh, founder of the Saadians. In the garden and courtyard are the tombs of numerous princes and household members. As a small site, the Saadian tombs can become crowded with tour groups. open from 0800-1200 and 1400-1800.