Located in Morocco’s north, between Rabat and Fes, Meknes is a fascinating but often overlooked city. It was established as a modest settlement in the Middle Ages and underwent a remarkable transformation when Sultan Ismail ascended to power in the late 17th century. Determined to elevate his kingdom, Ismail resolved to remodel the city in the opulent style of Versailles, the magnificent palace of his French counterpart, King Louis XIV.
From 1672 to 1727, Ismail's ambitious vision unfolded, as he orchestrated an extensive rebuilding and expansion of Meknes' historic kasbah into a sprawling palace-city. For a time, the city basked in the glory of his architectural masterpiece, yet this period of prosperity was short-lived, as successive invasions and a devastating earthquake in 1755 took a heavy toll.
Today, only fragments of Ismail's ambitious legacy remain, such as the immense royal stables that were purported to have housed up to 12,000 horses. Some of the buildings constructed during his reign have now been transformed into museums, showcasing not only the history of Meknes but also the cultural and artistic heritage of Morocco.
In this article, I’ll introduce 3 of the best museums in Meknes, including a 19th-century palace and an Ismaili-era bastion.
To learn more about visiting this fascinating imperial city, check out my Ultimate Travel Guide to Meknes or my pick of the top things to do in the city. Meknes also makes an ideal base for exploring the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis and the pilgrimage town of Moulay Idriss.
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Dar Jamai Museum
Housed within a late 19th-century palace, the Dar Jamai Museum serves as a repository of Meknes's cultural heritage and artistic traditions. It was constructed in 1882 by the powerful Jamai family, two members of which served as Grand Viziers under Sultan Moulay Hassan. This grand building, located on the northern edge of the historic Place Hedim, was designed in a classic Moroccan architectural style with carved stucco and zellije tilework.
Beyond the ornate exterior, the interior of the palace is equally impressive, with multiple floors of rooms surrounding a central courtyard garden. One of the highlights is a reception room topped by a domed wooden ceiling, complete with plush traditional furnishings that offer a glimpse into the lavish lifestyle of the Moroccan elite in times gone by.
The museum's collection is equally captivating and ranges from ceramics and jewellery to textiles and finely-crafted cedar wood pieces. Visitors can admire brocaded saddles, gorgeous gold and silver-threaded caftans, as well as antique Moroccan carpets in a diversity of regional styles. Adjacent to the palace is a beautiful fountain covered in the distinctive tilework that is a hallmark of Moroccan design.
Opening hours of Dar Jamai Museum: 10 am to 5:30 pm (closed Tuesdays)
Entrance fee for Dar Jamai Museum: 30 dh
Best museums in Meknes
Meknes Museum
This small museum doesn’t quite leave the same impression as Dar Jamai but is still worth a visit if you’re looking to fill an hour. It is housed with a former tribunal building along Rue Dar Smen (just within the imperial city walls) and can easily be combined with a visit to the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail.
Like Dar Jamai, the Meknes Museum is dedicated to the cultural heritage and traditional artistry of the region, with a collection that includes embroidery, traditional costumes and Moroccan rugs. Perhaps the most captivating piece is the remarkable set of leather armour, its surface encrusted with a mosaic of coral beads, turquoise studs and coins.
It’s worth noting that the signage within the Meknes Museum is in French only, so bring a translation app if understanding the origins and significance of the artefacts is of particular importance to you.
Opening hours of Meknes Museum: 10 am to 5:30 pm (closed Mondays)
Entrance fee for Meknes Museum: 10dh
Best museums in Meknes
Borj Bel Kari Museum
Also known as the Meknes Pottery Museum, Borj Bel Kari occupies a historic bastion just south of Bab Mansour. Erected during the Ismaili era in the late 17th century, Borj Bel Kari was constructed to further strengthen the defence system that defined the architecture of this imperial capital.
Renovated in 2003 and now classified as a Historical Monument, Borj Bel Kari houses an impressive collection of pottery from the Rif region. It is assembled chronologically, allowing you to trace the technological evolution and fabrication techniques of the pottery from prehistoric times up to the present day.
The first section offers an in-depth historical and archaeological presentation of ceramic traditions in the Rif region. After admiring the prehistoric ceramics in the first hall, you can get up close to pottery from the pre-Islamic era. Ceramics from currently operating workshops are also on display, with objects from Zerhoun and Meknes, Oued Laou and Karia Ba Mohamed. Keep an eye out for the reconstructed pottery workshop, which is a highlight of the Borj Bel Kari Museum.
Opening hours for Borj Bel Kari Museum: 9 am to 4 pm (closed Tuesdays)
Entrance fee for Borj Bel Kari Museum: 10 dh
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About the author
I'm Malika, a global traveller who first visited Morocco in 2014 before marrying a local and settling down in a little village on the Atlantic coast. Over the years, I've developed an intense love for Morocco, its majestic landscapes, storied cities and the incredibly warm hospitality of its people. As the owner and content creator of Malika in Morocco, I share my years of experience exploring the country, from north to south and from the Atlantic Ocean to the Sahara Desert. I am passionate about helping others plan their Moroccan travel adventures to ensure they get the most out of their North African experience.