Dar Jamaï palace

Dar Jamaï is a palace in Meknes that functions as an art museum displaying traditional Moroccan crafted objects. The building spans multiple floors arranged around a central courtyard with an orange tree, with rooms featuring carved plaster walls, tile work, and painted wooden ceilings.

The palace was built in 1882 for the influential Jamaï family and later became a military hospital before opening as a museum in 1920. Its transformation into a public institution allowed the traditional architecture and arts of the region to be preserved.

The palace displays traditional Moroccan craftsmanship through ceramics, textiles, and metalwork on view in its rooms. These objects reflect the artistic skills that shaped daily life and celebration in the region for generations.

The museum sits at the northern edge of El-Hedim Square and is easily reached on foot from the old city. Visitors should allow time to explore the different floors and the central courtyard, where the decorative details are most visible.

The entrance area features a large wall fountain from the early 20th century whose surface is completely covered in fine blue and white tilework. This fountain is one of the first things visitors notice when arriving at the square.

Location: Meknes

Official opening: 1920

Architectural style: Islamic architecture

Part of: Medina of Meknes

Website: http://minculture.gov.ma/fr/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=92&Itemid=133&lang=fr

GPS coordinates: 33.89377,-5.56656

Latest update: December 9, 2025 12:21