English
11 Days Tour Jewish Heritage
Casablanca to Marrakech
Overview
Jews have lived in Morocco for more than 2,500 years. Jews were distributed across the Roman Empire, including modern-day Morocco, after the Roman invasion of Judaea in 6 AD. Numerous Jews moved in with the Berber tribes, picking up their languages, engaged in farming, raising livestock, and trading. As a result of the Spanish Expulsion in the 15th century, Sephardic Jews migrated to Morocco and Northern Africa. A fresh wave of emigration to Europe and the Americas in the 1970s and 1980s caused the Jewish population, which had reached roughly 250,000 by 1948, to start declining in the 1950s and 1960s. Currently, only about 2000–2500 Jews dwell in Morocco, mostly in Casablanca… …
Included/Exclude
- Privat Van With Driver Guide Tour
- Accommodations
- Daily Breakfast
- Camel Ride
- Sandboarding
- Glampinh Night
- Local Guides
- Bottel Of Watter
- Monuments Fees
- Self-Expenses
- Tips
Tour Plan
On the first day of your Jewish Heritage trip, you will arrive at the airport in Morocco. Casablanca is a fantastic starting point for our trip to Morocco since it is home to more than 30 synagogues. Get some sleep tonight, because we have a full day planned of seeing the best that Casablanca's Jewish community has to offer, from synagogues and museums to kosher eateries and galleries.
We will pick you up from your hotel promptly at breakfast time and spend the whole day showing you around the Jewish Quarter of Casablanca, the only Jewish Quarter in all of Morocco. One of the biggest mosques in the world, the Hassan II Mosque, is among the attractions you'll see while in the city of Rabat. Prepare to learn about the history of the Jewish people at the Jewish Museum. Our trip to Casablanca would not be complete without a stop to Temple Beth-El, the city's Jewish Synagogue. The mellah in Casablanca is an excellent venue to learn about the city's Jewish past, given it is not much older than a century. Additionally, the Jewish cemetery is located in this area.
The city of Rabat comes up next, and it has several sights worth seeing, including the Royal Palace and the Hassan Tower. The iconic Mausoleum of Mohammed V is a must-see, since it is one of the city's most recognizable structures because to its stained-glass windows and white marble decor. Jews visit this spot annually as one of Morocco's holy places since Mohammed V shielded their forefathers from the anti-Semitic practices of the French Vichy Government. Visit the Thursday Gate and the mosque of Moulay Ismail, as well as the Bab El Mansour and the Meknes Stables while in Meknes. The legacy of Jewish heritage is unmistakable in the vibrant courtyards of the medina in Meknes. This afternoon, you may see the spectacular Volubilis Roman ruins.
On day four of our journey of Morocco, we'll visit the city of Fes. Fes, the spiritual capital of Morocco, is one of the world's oldest imperial towns and home to a mellah built in the 15th century. Tour the Jewish cemetery with an expert local guide and learn about the lives and deaths of notable Jews such as Rabbis Yehuda Ben Attar, Monsengo, and Rabbi Isaac Alfasi. To find anything from tanneries and carpets to ceramics and pottery, you must visit the souks. More than forty synagogues formerly stood in Fes. Danan Synagogue, one of the few still standing, is now the most well-known synagogue in the world.
Let's stop at the charming village of Midelt, which is framed by the towering Ayachi Mountain, on the way to the Sahara Desert to take in its breathtaking scenery. See the beautiful Midelt Synagogue and the adjoining Christian monastery of Kasbah Myriem. Tonight we'll be setting out to explore the Sahara.
The Sahara Desert is an absolute must-see on every journey to Sahara. Many visitors to Morocco come specifically to see the desert because of its unearthly beauty. There is plenty to enjoy in Morocco's huge Sahara Desert, from camel rides to a seemingly endless collection of sand dunes.
On day seven, our expert guides will show you some of Morocco's most breathtaking sights. Dades Gorge is an impressive environment with purple mountains and green valleys. Dades Gorge, which stretches over 100 kilometers, offers several scenic spots, including the lovely Rose Valley.
Skoura and Ouarzazate await us as the next stops on our journey. Skoura was established in the 12th, and its century Amerhidl Kasbah is a major tourist attraction. Other interesting kasbahs in the area are Ben Amar and Ait Ben Haddou. When going from the southern part of Morocco to the southern part of the country, many people stop at Ouarzazate, fondly referred to as the "Door of the Desert." The location has been used in several high-profile media productions, including films like Game of Thrones and television shows like Gladiator, so you may be familiar with it.
Welome to Marrakech, Morocco's most glamorous and visited city. Marrakesh, a city that was formerly home to a sizable Jewish population, now has several Jewish landmarks and traditions. Explore the winding alleyways of the Medina, take in the sights of Bahia Palace, and marvel at the splendor of Menara Garden. The plaza of Djemaa El Fna is home to several souks and a thriving handicrafts industry. In addition to The Saadian Tombs and Marrakech's Lazama Synagogue, other must-sees include the Jewish Quarter and the Jewish Synagogue Bet-El. Visit the vibrant Old Spice Market in Marrakesh if you're interested in buying spices like saffron and cumin.
Next up on our trip is the picturesque fishing village of Essaouira. It is a popular tourist destination due to its charming blue and whitewashed homes, art galleries, and woodworking businesses, as well as its rich Jewish and Portuguese heritage. The Star of David is a symbol of Jewish identity and may be seen affixed to the door frames of many of these residences. The synagogue and the residence of the renowned Rabbi Haim Pinto are two of the most visited sites in the area.
The last morning of your trip will be spent in Marrakech, where you may enjoy a stroll through the city's vibrant streets. Following our farewells, we will coordinate your airport transfer.
Map
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