Kara Prison, Heritage prison in Medina, Meknes, Morocco.
Kara Prison is a subterranean jail beneath Meknes built with a network of underground chambers and tunnels that descend several levels into the earth. The structure features narrow corridors, low ceilings, and numerous small rooms arranged in a complex, interconnected system.
Sultan Moulay Ismail ordered the construction of this underground facility in the 17th century as part of his major building projects in Meknes. The prison remained in use throughout his reign and played an important role in controlling the city.
The name Kara comes from the Arabic word for dungeon, reflecting the dark purpose of this place. Visitors can observe traces of daily life carved into the stone walls by those who were held here.
Access is through guided tours that begin at an entrance in the Ismaili Qasba, where local guides explain the site. The underground rooms can be dark and cool, so appropriate clothing and a flashlight or headlamp are helpful.
The prison was deliberately designed as a maze where prisoners could become lost in identical corridors and be held without locks or bars. This ingenious construction allowed people to be controlled simply through the physical design of the spaces.
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