Mellah of Meknes

In the shadow of Bab Mansour — the grandest gate in Morocco.

The mellah of Meknes sits near the imperial palace district. Streets still named after the rabbis who lived here. Hebraic epitaphs and Greek inscriptions on the walls testify to a Jewish presence that predates Islam by centuries.

Eleven synagogues remain in Meknes. None in daily use. The Talmud Torah — a religious school where boys learned Torah and elementary Hebrew — survives as architecture. Two cemeteries contain the tombs of saints: Haim Messas, David Boussidan, Raphael Berdugo. The tomb of Rabbi David Benmidan draws pilgrims from around the world.