Dar el Makhzen, Royal palace in Kasbah, Tangier, Morocco
Dar el Makhzen is a royal palace in the Kasbah of Tangier, Morocco, with two inner courtyards featuring marble fountains, detailed wooden ceilings and richly decorated architectural elements. The structure extends over several levels and combines traditional Moroccan building craft with influences from the Mediterranean.
Sultan Mohammed ben Abdallah commissioned this palace in 1864, replacing an older complex previously founded by Sultan Muhammad IV. The residence served several rulers as an administrative seat and representative home in the northern region of the country.
The Museum of Mediterranean Cultures inside displays Moroccan art collections with decorated firearms, carpets, silks from Fez and historical manuscripts. These objects offer insight into the artistic work and daily life of different periods across the region.
The palace is not open to the general public, but the decorated main entrance and exterior architecture can be viewed from the surrounding public areas. The Kasbah itself is easily walkable during the day, and visitors can explore the area around the building.
The palace sits at the highest point in Tangier and offers clear views across the Strait of Gibraltar to the Spanish coast. On sunny days, the opposite shoreline just a few kilometers away is clearly visible.
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