Sights in Morocco
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El-Makoudi Mosque
This mosque is in the formerly Jewish area of Lihoudi , and is one of the few that doesn't have a minaret. The mosque's fountain is at the top of the street, and is particularly beautiful with carved medluk (fine sand-and-lime coating) and intricate zellij.
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Orientalist Art Gallery
This small commercial gallery is the best place to view the work of contemporary Fez-based artists. The only other option in town is the art gallery in the Délégation de la Culture on Ave Moulay Youssef, close to the Pl de la Résistance, which hosts occasional exhibitions.
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Statue Grande Libre
Melilla's role in modern Spanish history isn't forgotten. The Statue Grande Libre marks 7 July 1936, when Franco began the campaign against the government in Madrid. With a soldier and lion backed by a Fascist eagle, it feels like a throwback to another, uncomfortable age.
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Jardin Public
If the locals aren't to be found promenading down Ave Hassan II or colonising the terraces at Assouan or Blue Babel, they'll probably be in this manicured public garden close to the Central Market. There's a café, small waterfall, shady trees and plenty of seating.
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Grande Mosquée
Noteworthy for its unusual octagonal tower, the Grande Mosquée was built in the 15th century by the son of the town's founder, Ali ben Rachid. It is closed to non-Muslims. The mosque also has a striking terracotta-tiled roof, best seen from the tower of the kasbah.
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Funduq Tastawniyine
This funduq housed merchants coming from Tetouan to do business in Fez. It still has some intricate mashrabiya on the upper balconies but, like all the funduqs, it's in bad repair. Today you'll find a carpet shop and a carpenter in residence.
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Boulevard Boukhsissat
The picturesque buildings that line this street date from the period of the French Mandate. Cream-coloured and with brown-painted balconies, they were designed to provide housing on the 1st floor and shops on the ground floor, an arrangement that continues to this day.
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Attarine Gates
There are massive wooden gates at the bottom of Talaa Kebira opposite the entrance to the Attarine Medersa. There used to be gates within the medina closing off every neighbourhood; these are the only intact ones left that are still closed at night, at around 22:30.
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Mémoire D’agadir
In the southwest corner of Jardin de Olhão, there’s Mémoire d’Agadir, a small museum dedicated to the 1960 earthquake. Displays include interesting photos of Agadir since the 1920s, while others show the effects of the quake.
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Mokri Palace
For a modest tip, Azzedine will show you around the large rectangular courtyard with salons at each end. Upstairs are gracious rooms, the venue for concerts , looking over the medina. The palace is up for sale, and is likely to be turned into a luxury hotel.
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Ras el-Maa River
Heading northeast from Place el-Majzen, all roads lead to Bab al-Ansar, the eastern medina gate. Just below the gate, you'll see women gathering to do their washing in the fast running Ras el-Maa River , which pours of out of the mountains above the town.
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Ibn Danan Synagogue
The Ibn Danan Synagogue was restored with the aid of Unesco in 1999. There are no set opening times as such, but someone will usually let you in and point out the main features, including a mikva (ritual bath) in the basement.
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Baños Árabes
Accidentally discovered during street work, these ancient Arab baths , sit on a main road, an incongruous sight. There are two of them, with barrel-vaulted roofs originally covered with marble – the high-tech spa of its time.
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Plateforme du Sémaphore
Opening out at the end of a street is a wide grassy area where the provides an incredible vista over the estuary and across to Salé. The elevated position provided an excellent defence against seagoing attackers negotiating the sandbanks below.
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Paradise Beach
For peace and quiet head to this glorious beach, a gorgeous, pristine spot that really does live up to its name. It's a pleasant walk along the coast or, alternatively, you could hop on one of the horse-drawn carriages that ply this route in summer.
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Salle des Bronzes
You'll find ceramics, statuary and artefacts from the Roman settlements at Volubilis, Lixus and Chellah on display. Look out for the beautiful head of Juba II and the unforgiving realism of the bust of Cato the Younger - both found at Volubilis.
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Dar Pacha Tazi
Set in a large garden with trellis-covered walkways, this 20th-century palace has housed various government figures. It's now the headquarters of the Fès Saïss Association that organises the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music .
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Castillo del Desnarigado
The Castillo del Desnarigado is a small fort on the southeastern tip of Ceuta (Sebta), which houses a small military museum. There is a lighthouse above, and a secluded beach, Playa Torrecilla, below.
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Gouffre du Friouato
25km from Taza, the Gouffre du Friouato is well signposted, up a very steep road. This deep cavern is the main attraction of the Jebel Tazzeka circuit and it’s well worth coming up here to look into its gaping mouth.
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Vallée des Oiseaux
Near the Musée du Patrimoine Amazigh is the Vallée des Oiseaux, a shaded children’s playground, with an aviary and small zoo, created in the dry riverbed that runs down from Blvd Hassan II south to Blvd du 20 Août.
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Mahakma du Pasha
To the south of the Quartier Habous (Nouvelle Medina) is the old Mahakma du Pasha, which has more than 60 rooms decorated with sculpted wooden ceilings, stuccowork, wrought-iron railings and earthenware floors.
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Main Beach
This beach is flanked by campgrounds and hotels and stretches north from town. It's a wide sweep of golden sand and, although pleasant in low season, the crowds and noise from the nearby road make it less appealing in summer.
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Funduq Tazi
Opposite Funduq Kaat Smen (), Funduq Tazi has a leather shop, Maison D'Artisanat , and some drum-makers who use the skins for their ceramic tam-tams (drums). It's a simple building with no decorative elements.
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Church of the Immaculate Conception
Heading down Rue as-Siaghin from the gateway of the medina, you soon pass the lovely Spanish Church of the Immaculate Conception on your right, built in 1880 when Spaniards comprised one-fifth of Tangier's population.
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Aljibes de las Peñuelas
Inside the Melilla la Vieja is an enclosed square, in the north wall of which is a pair of 15th-century water cisterns, Aljibes de las Peñuelas. The price of entry also allows access to Las Cuevas del Conventico.
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