Mansour Gate facts for kids
Mansour Gate It is the main gate of the Old Town of Meknes in Morocco and one of the largest and most impressive gates in Morocco and together with the "outer square (El Hedim Square)" is considered the country's business card. The gate is located in front of El Hedim Square which is considered to be the most famous square in Morocco.
History
The gate structure was completed in 1732 by Mulay Abdullah who was the son of Sultan Mulay Ismail. This gate marks the main entrance of the imperial palace built for Isla Mulay and the ancient city of Meknes. The door was designed by a Christian converted to Islam whose name was "Mansur" hence his name: "Mansur Gate". The gate structure has been part of the Meknes protected heritage since 1914 and since 1996 has been used as a World Heritage Site along with the Old Town of Meknes.
Gate structure and squares around it
The gate structure separates the outer square called Al-Hadim Square, which is adjacent to the Old City wall of Meknes, from the inner square called Lela Awda Square which served as the "Royal Order Ground". Adjacent to the gate within the walls are the Royal Order Stables, the Royal Prison and the Meknes City Museum. The gate is decorated with green ceramics with paintings with Islamic motifs. The white pillars are columns that used to stand in the Roman city: "Volibilis" which is about 30 km north of the city.
