Bab Mansour

Bab Mansour is the monumental ceremonial gate of the imperial city of Meknès in Morocco, standing at the edge of Place el-Hedim. Begun under Sultan Moulay Ismail and completed in 1732 by his son Moulay Abdallah, it is regarded as one of the finest gates in the country. It is named after its architect, Mansour Laalej, a Christian convert, and its name is sometimes translated as the Gate of the Victorious Renegade. The facade is a broad arch flanked by two towers and covered in green and white zellige, carved stucco and calligraphic bands, with spiral marble columns reused from the Roman ruins at Volubilis. The tilework in green, a colour associated with the dynasty, and the scale of the arch give the gate a ceremonial presence that contrasts with the working medina behind it. Visitors mainly view and photograph the gate from Place el-Hedim, where the full width of the facade can be taken in; late afternoon is best, when low sun warms the stone and brings out the carved detail. The interior galleries are limited to occasional exhibitions and are not always open. A visit usually takes about 30 minutes, longer if combined with coffee at a square-side café. There is no admission charge. The gate is a short walk from the Ville Nouvelle through the Mellah gate or a petit taxi from Meknès train station, costing about 15 MAD. The square around it is busiest in the evening, with food stalls, storytellers and musicians, while mornings are quiet. Nearby Dar Jamai Museum, the Bou Inania Madrasa and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail can all be reached on foot.