Mausolée Mohammed V

The mausoleum of the king who led Morocco to independence, built across from the Hassan Tower his Almohad predecessors never finished. The contrast is intentional: 800 years of Moroccan history, failure and triumph facing each other. Mohammed V negotiated independence from France in 1956 after years of exile and resistance. The mausoleum, completed in 1971, houses his tomb and those of his sons Hassan II and Moulay Abdallah. The building is traditional in style, modern in execution — marble from Italy, zellige from Fes, cedar from the Middle Atlas. Non-Muslims may enter (rare for a royal tomb). The interior is hushed and magnificent: white marble, green zellige, guards in traditional dress. Photography is permitted in the outer spaces. The respect is genuine; this is not ancient history to Moroccans. Best time: Any time Allow: 45 minutes Combine with: Hassan Tower (adjacent)