The history of Morocco grew rich by the influences of several civilizations and cultures. The plurality of these civilizations resulted in a significant archaeological diversification which was translated throughout the Moroccan territory into monuments, buildings and vestiges. This history began with the establishment of foreign centers in the littoral zones. In the 7th century BC, Phoenicians founded trading posts on the Mediterranean Coast of North Africa, Tangier… as well as on the Atlantic coast, Mogador (Essaouira), Sala, Lixus … Phoenicians, then Carthaginians created marginal centers along the Moroccan coast and their civilization was attached to the Mediterranean world from which it was born.

Thanks to excavations, we managed to find the remains of walls, some ceramics and burials but no building is identifiable.

At the III century BC and after the defeat of Carthage, the Roman Empire entirely controlled the African Northern region and settled in already existing cities at the pre-roman era like Lixus or Volubilis, the capital of the Moor Empire under the reign of Juba I, Juba II and Ptolemee.

With the advent of the Islamic civilization, the reigning dynasties succeeded one another. In this way the number of historic buildings multiplied to recall the remaining Moroccan history until nowadays.

Muslim Dynasties

The Idrissids

They are the Founders of the first Muslim state between 808 - 192 AH (Anno Hegirae). Idriss II founded the city of Fez, known as a city of culture. It was declared by UNESCO as a “world heritage city,". In 857 - Fatima Fehrya founded the Al Karaouiyne mosque.

The Almoravids "Al-Murâbitûn" 1070

They founded the city of Marrakesh. Their leader Abou Bakr, built a Kasbah nicknamed “the stone castle” not faraway from  Koutoubia.

The Almohads "Al-Muwahhidûn" 1147 :

They maintained Marrakesh as capital.

Abdelmoumen started building the Koutoubia Mosque there. his son, Ya`cub Al-Mansûr’ finished it by adding

a magnificent minaret that can still be seen today.

The Merinids 1269:

Having preserved the throne, they made Fez their capital and built Fez El-Jedid.

The Cherifians

The Saadians:

This dynasty (fifteenth century) helped revive Marrakesh glory. Ahmed Al-Mansûr Eddahbi built the El-Badi Palace.

The Alaouites:

Their reign began in the eighteenth century.