Kasbah des Oudaias (Oudaias Citadel), Rabat (must see)

Perched atop a hill at the mouth of the Bou Regreg River, adjacent to Rabat’s old Medina, stands the Oudaias Citadel (Kasbah des Oudaias), a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The northern section of this citadel dates back to the 12th century, constructed during the Almohad period under Caliph Ya'qub al-Mansur. At its heart lies Rue Jamaa (Mosque Street), which stretches from Bab Oudaia ("Udaya Gate") to the semaphore platform, passing by the Kasbah’s Old Mosque.

The monumental Bab Oudaia, also known as Bab al-Kbir ("Great Gate"), is widely regarded as one of Morocco’s finest architectural masterpieces. Built between 1195 and 1199, it was originally part of the Kasbah’s early fortifications, erected around 1150. Later, as new walls enclosed the area, the gate, despite its massive structure, took on a more ceremonial role rather than a defensive one.

Both its outer and inner façades are adorned with intricate carvings. The horseshoe arch entrance is framed by an elaborate band of interwoven geometric patterns—specifically, the darj wa ktaf motif, a hallmark of Moroccan architecture—set within a rectangular border that bears a Qur’anic inscription in Kufic Arabic script.

The inner gate’s external façade, facing the Kasbah, features similar ornamentation, albeit with slight variations in geometric design. Inside, the gatehouses have three chambers arranged in a bent passage.

The southern section of the Kasbah dates from the 18th century, built during the Alaouite period. This area is largely occupied by the Andalusian Gardens, the Oudayas Museum, and a scenic terrace known as Café Maure.