Rabat’s Kasbah des Oudaya: Doorway to Endless Beauty

Rabat – The Kasbah des Oudaya’s cobble-stone streets guide you through its narrow passageways.

First built in the 12th century during the Almohad Caliphate as a fortress overlooking the Bouregreg river, it later became the refuge of Andalusian Muslims fleeing Spain after their expulsion in the early 1600s.

Its inner walls, half-white, half-blue, shelter the houses and riads within, while shops and cafes line the streets. Each door or window shutter features a unique design, like a fingerprint.

If you get lost here, it is not hard to find your way back, but you may forget why you ever wanted to leave.

The passageways of Oudaya lead you to some of the most beautiful architecture

Some of these homes in Oudaya take advantage of contrasting color

A blue vase sits in front of a faded blue wall in Oudaya

Flower pots sit side by side up against a faded blue wall

Some of the doors in Oudaya have very eloquent metal work

A yellow eloquently designed door knocker

A woman walks down one Oudaya passage ways