Bab er-Robb, City gate in Medina, Marrakesh, Morocco.
Bab er-Robb is a city gate at the southern edge of the Medina, distinguished by a curved passage within a bastion that makes a 180-degree turn. The structure guides visitors through a winding corridor from north back to north and once served as a crucial checkpoint for controlling access to the city.
The gate dates to the medieval period, when it regulated the import of cooked wine and served as a strategic checkpoint for city access. Its design reflects the defensive needs of that era, with an intentionally complex passage that made rapid breakthroughs difficult for attackers.
The gate's name references its historical function, and it displays traditional Moroccan architectural elements. It serves as one of nineteen openings that link the Medina to the world beyond.
The location sits near a transportation hub where shared taxis offer routes to Atlas Mountains destinations and the coastal town of Essaouira. The best time to explore is early morning or late afternoon, when fewer people are around and visibility through the winding passages is clearer.
A large water basin once existed nearby and served as a swimming practice area for residents. Later, the space was converted into a cemetery, showing how the site's purpose shifted over the centuries.
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