Bab El Khemis, Military city gate in Meknes, Morocco.
Bab El Khemis is a brick gate on the western side of Meknes featuring strong defensive walls and traditional architectural details from the 17th century. The structure displays classic Moroccan style with decorative elements across its surfaces.
The gate was built between 1686 and 1687 under Sultan Moulay Ismail's rule and served as a main entrance to important districts. It was part of a major urban planning project that transformed Meknes into a grand royal residence.
Poetry carved into the gate walls reflects the values and artistic forms that were treasured during Sultan Moulay Ismail's rule. These inscriptions show how important language and literature were to the place's identity.
The gate is located within the medina and is easy to reach when walking through the western quarters of Meknes. Visitors should come in early morning or afternoon when sunlight better illuminates the carved details.
The poetry on the gate wall includes a date written in the Islamic calendar as artistic details woven into the architecture itself. This written form of marking was typical for high-status building projects during that era.
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