Moroccan History: 12 Centuries of Dynasties & UNESCO Heritage

Q: How old is Morocco as a country?

Morocco was founded as a unified Muslim state in 789 AD by Moulay Idriss I, making it more than 1,200 years old. The current Alaouite dynasty has ruled since 1666 — the longest-reigning monarchy in the Arab world.

Q: Who were the most important dynasties in Moroccan history?

Six dynasties shaped modern Morocco: the Idrissides (789–985) who founded the country; the Almoravids (1040–1147) who built Marrakech and united Morocco with Andalusia; the Almohads (1145–1248) who built the Koutoubia and Hassan Tower; the Merinids (1244–1465) who built the great medersas of Fez; the Saadians (1554–1659) who built the El Badi Palace and Saadian Tombs; and the Alaouites (1666–present) who still rule today under King Mohammed VI.

Q: What is the oldest city in Morocco?

Fez (Fes el-Bali), founded in 808 AD by Moulay Idriss II, is the oldest continuously inhabited imperial city in Morocco. It is home to al-Qarawiyyin University (859 AD), recognised by UNESCO as the oldest continuously operating university in the world. The Roman city of Volubilis is older but is now an archaeological site, not a living city.

Q: How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites does Morocco have?

Morocco has nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the medinas of Fez, Marrakech, Tétouan, and Essaouira; the historic city of Meknes; the archaeological site of Volubilis; the Ksar of Aït Ben Haddou; the Portuguese city of Mazagan (El Jadida); and the modern capital and historic city of Rabat. This is more UNESCO sites than any other country in North Africa.

Q: Was Morocco ever colonised?

Morocco was a French and Spanish protectorate — not a full colony — from 1912 to 1956. France controlled most of the country while Spain governed the north and the deep south. The Alaouite monarchy remained on the throne throughout the protectorate, and Morocco regained independence in 1956 under Sultan (later King) Mohammed V. Morocco is one of the few Arab nations that was never ruled by the Ottoman Empire.

Q: What is the difference between the imperial cities of Morocco?

The four imperial cities — Fez, Marrakech, Meknes, and Rabat — each served as a Moroccan capital at different periods. Fez was the Idrisside and Merinid capital and is the spiritual heart; Marrakech was the Almoravid, Almohad, and Saadian capital and is the most theatrical; Meknes was Moulay Ismail's 17th-century Alaouite capital; and Rabat is the modern capital and Almohad-era fortress city.

Q: Who is the current king of Morocco?

King Mohammed VI has reigned since 1999, succeeding his father King Hassan II. He is the 23rd sovereign of the Alaouite dynasty, which has ruled Morocco since 1666 — the oldest reigning royal house in the Arab world. The king is both head of state and Amir al-Mu'minin (Commander of the Faithful), the religious leader of Moroccan Muslims.

Q: What is the best Morocco tour for history lovers?

For dedicated history travellers we recommend the Imperial Cities of Morocco tour (focused on Fez, Meknes, Rabat & Marrakech), the 14-day Majestic Morocco tour (which adds Volubilis, Aït Ben Haddou, and the Sahara), or the Jewish Heritage Morocco tour for the layered Berber-Arab-Sephardic history. Every itinerary can be tailored to add more time at any specific site or era.

Moroccan History: 12 Centuries of Dynasties, Empires & UNESCO Heritage

Morocco's recorded history spans more than 1,200 years, shaped by six great dynasties — Idrisside, Almoravid, Almohad, Merinid, Saadian, and Alaouite — that built the imperial cities of Fez, Marrakech, Meknes, and Rabat. From Roman Volubilis to today's reigning Alaouite monarchy, every layer of empire has left a UNESCO-worthy monument you can still walk through.

The Oldest Continuous Monarchy in the Arab World

Morocco's history is not confined to museums — it is alive in the souks of Fez, the riads of Marrakech, the ramparts of Essaouira, and the medersas of Meknes. The country sits at a unique crossroads between Africa, Europe, and the Arab world, and every wave of civilisation that crossed Gibraltar or trekked through the Sahara left its mark on the architecture, language, cuisine, and faith you experience today.

The story begins long before Islam arrived: Berber kingdoms, Phoenician trading posts at Lixus, and the Roman city of Volubilis all preceded the Arab conquest of the late 7th century. But it was Moulay Idriss I, a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad who fled the Abbasid massacre in 786 AD, who founded the first Moroccan state in 789 AD — beginning a 1,200-year arc of indigenous Muslim dynasties that still rules today under King Mohammed VI of the Alaouite line.

Below, we walk through Morocco's six defining dynasties in chronological order, the monuments they built, and the heritage tours that bring each era to life.

Six Defining Dynasties

From Moulay Idriss to King Mohammed VI

Each dynasty reshaped Morocco's borders, architecture, and identity. The medersas, mosques, kasbahs, and palaces they left behind are the backbone of every heritage itinerary we design.

789 – 985 AD

Idrisside Dynasty

First Moroccan State · Berber-Arab Foundation

Founded by Moulay Idriss I, a great-great-grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, the Idrissides established the first independent Muslim state in Morocco at the holy town of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun. His son Moulay Idriss II founded Fez in 808 AD, which would grow into the spiritual and intellectual capital of the western Islamic world. The University of al-Qarawiyyin, founded in Fez in 859 AD, is recognised by UNESCO as the oldest continuously operating university on earth.

Founded Moulay Idriss Zerhoun & Fez el-Bali
Established al-Qarawiyyin University (859 AD)
Brought Arab-Andalusian refugees who shaped Moroccan culture

Qubba Almoravide in Marrakech — the only surviving Almoravid building

1040 – 1147

Almoravid Dynasty

Saharan Berbers · Empire of Two Continents

A reformist Berber movement from the western Sahara, the Almoravids swept north under Youssef ibn Tachfin, founded Marrakech in 1062, and built an empire stretching from Senegal to the Pyrenees. They rescued Muslim Spain (al-Andalus) at the Battle of Sagrajas in 1086 and ruled Andalusia for over a century — an exchange that flooded Morocco with Andalusian artisans, musicians, and architects whose influence still defines Moroccan style.

Founded Marrakech (1062) — Morocco's first imperial capital
Built the Qubba Almoravide, the only surviving Almoravid monument
Integrated Morocco and al-Andalus into a single cultural sphere

Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakech — masterpiece of Almohad architecture

1145 – 1248

Almohad Dynasty

Golden Age of Architecture · Three Great Minarets

The Almohads were a Berber movement from the High Atlas under Abd al-Mu'min who replaced the Almoravids and built one of the most architecturally ambitious empires in Islamic history. Three of their minarets still stand and define their cities: the Koutoubia in Marrakech, the Giralda in Seville, and the Hassan Tower in Rabat. They moved the capital to Rabat, fortified the Kasbah of the Udayas, and patronised philosophers like Ibn Rushd (Averroes) and Ibn Tufayl.

Built the Koutoubia Mosque (Marrakech) — model for the Giralda
Founded Rabat as a fortified imperial capital
Constructed the Hassan Tower & the Kasbah of the Udayas

Merinid medersa in Salé — Islamic college with intricate carved stucco

1244 – 1465

Merinid Dynasty

Era of the Medersas · Fez at its Zenith

Replacing the Almohads, the Merinids made Fez their capital and built Fez el-Jdid — "New Fez" — adjacent to the old medina. Their lasting legacy is the medersa: the Islamic college blending zellige tilework, carved cedar, and sculpted plaster into one of the most refined architectural traditions on earth. The Bou Inania Medersa in Fez, the Attarine Medersa, and the Medersa of Salé remain among the most exquisite Islamic buildings ever constructed.

Bou Inania, Attarine & Salé medersas — masterpieces of Moroccan craft
Founded Fez el-Jdid and the Mellah (Jewish quarter)
Patronised the historian Ibn Khaldun & explorer Ibn Battuta

Saadian Tombs in Marrakech — sealed for centuries and rediscovered in 1917

1554 – 1659

Saadian Dynasty

Sherifian Renaissance · Gold from Timbuktu

The Saadians, claiming descent from the Prophet Muhammad, reunified Morocco and defeated the Portuguese at the Battle of the Three Kings in 1578. Under Ahmad al-Mansur ("the Golden"), they conquered Timbuktu in 1591 and brought back the Songhai Empire's gold, funding a Renaissance of art and architecture. Their masterpieces — the Saadian Tombs and the El Badi Palace in Marrakech — remain two of the most evocative sites in Morocco.

Built the Saadian Tombs (sealed in 1672, rediscovered 1917)
Constructed the El Badi Palace, "The Incomparable"
Conquered Timbuktu & controlled the trans-Saharan gold trade

1666 – Present

Alaouite Dynasty

Current Ruling House · Oldest Reign in the Arab World

The Alaouites took power under Moulay Rachid in 1666 and reunified the country under Moulay Ismail (r. 1672–1727), who made Meknes his imperial capital and built one of the largest royal complexes in the Islamic world. Today, King Mohammed VI — the 23rd Alaouite sovereign — continues a dynasty that has navigated French and Spanish protectorates (1912–1956), independence under his grandfather Mohammed V, the modernisation drive of his father Hassan II, and Morocco's emergence as a stable constitutional monarchy and gateway between Africa and Europe.

Moulay Ismail built Meknes — the "Versailles of Morocco"
Mohammed V led Morocco to independence in 1956
Mohammed VI reigns since 1999 — 23rd Alaouite sovereign

Nine Sites That Tell Morocco's Story

Morocco has nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites — more than any country in North Africa. Each one is a chapter in the dynasty story above, and most appear on our Imperial Cities, Majestic Morocco, and Discover Morocco itineraries.

Medina of Fez

The largest car-free urban area on earth. Founded by the Idrissides in 808 AD, expanded by the Merinids, and still home to al-Qarawiyyin University and the great medersas.

Medina of Marrakech

Almoravid foundation (1062) with Almohad, Saadian, and Alaouite layers — Koutoubia Mosque, Saadian Tombs, El Badi Palace, and the Bahia Palace.

Historic City of Meknes

Moulay Ismail's 17th-century imperial capital — vast ramparts, the Bab Mansour gate, and the royal stables that once held 12,000 horses.

Archaeological Site of Volubilis

The best-preserved Roman city in Morocco (1st century BC – 3rd century AD), with extraordinary mosaics still in situ.

Ksar of Aït Ben Haddou

A fortified earthen village south of the Atlas — a Saharan caravan stop and a Hollywood favourite (Gladiator, Game of Thrones).

Medina of Tétouan

The most complete Andalusian medina in Morocco, built by refugees from Granada after the Reconquista in 1492.

Medina of Essaouira

An 18th-century Alaouite port city designed by a French captive of Sultan Sidi Mohammed ben Abdallah — fortified, white, and Atlantic.

Portuguese City of Mazagan (El Jadida)

A 16th-century Portuguese fortress with a famous underground cistern — a rare European outpost on the Moroccan coast.

Rabat: Modern Capital & Historic City

Almohad ramparts, the Hassan Tower, the Kasbah of the Udayas, and the early 20th-century French Ville Nouvelle — all on one UNESCO listing.

Heritage Tours Designed by Moroccan Historians

We don't just walk past monuments — we explain them. Every Gateway2Morocco history tour pairs you with government-licensed local historians at each site, so you understand why the Almoravids built differently than the Almohads, why Fez has medersas and Marrakech has palaces, and how Andalusian refugees reshaped Moroccan music and architecture after 1492.

Licensed Site HistoriansSpecialist guides at Fez, Volubilis, Meknes, Marrakech, Aït Ben Haddou — not generalists.

100% Private ItinerariesNever shared with strangers. Your pace, your interests, your timeline at every site.

All Entrance Fees IncludedMedersas, palaces, museums, kasbahs — no nickel-and-diming at every door.

Heritage Riads & KasbahsSleep inside the history — restored Merinid and Saadian homes, not chain hotels.

BPCPA #80460 LicensedFully bonded under British Columbia consumer protection law for total peace of mind.

4.9★ on TripAdvisorHundreds of five-star reviews from travellers who came for history and got history.

Morocco History Questions, Answered

Morocco was founded as a unified Muslim state in 789 AD by Moulay Idriss I, making it more than 1,200 years old. The current Alaouite dynasty has ruled since 1666 — the longest-reigning monarchy in the Arab world.

Six dynasties shaped modern Morocco: the Idrissides (789–985) who founded the country; the Almoravids (1040–1147) who built Marrakech and united Morocco with Andalusia; the Almohads (1145–1248) who built the Koutoubia and Hassan Tower; the Merinids (1244–1465) who built the great medersas of Fez; the Saadians (1554–1659) who built the El Badi Palace and Saadian Tombs; and the Alaouites (1666–present) who still rule today under King Mohammed VI.

Fez (Fes el-Bali), founded in 808 AD by Moulay Idriss II, is the oldest continuously inhabited imperial city in Morocco. It's home to al-Qarawiyyin University (859 AD), recognised by UNESCO as the oldest continuously operating university in the world. The Roman city of Volubilis is older but is now an archaeological site, not a living city.

Morocco has nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the medinas of Fez, Marrakech, Tétouan, and Essaouira; the historic city of Meknes; the archaeological site of Volubilis; the Ksar of Aït Ben Haddou; the Portuguese city of Mazagan (El Jadida); and the modern capital and historic city of Rabat. This is more UNESCO sites than any other country in North Africa.

Morocco was a French and Spanish protectorate — not a full colony — from 1912 to 1956. France controlled most of the country while Spain governed the north and the deep south. The Alaouite monarchy remained on the throne throughout the protectorate, and Morocco regained independence in 1956 under Sultan (later King) Mohammed V. Morocco is one of the few Arab nations that was never ruled by the Ottoman Empire.

The four imperial cities — Fez, Marrakech, Meknes, and Rabat — each served as a Moroccan capital at different periods. Fez was the Idrisside and Merinid capital and is the spiritual heart; Marrakech was the Almoravid, Almohad, and Saadian capital and is the most theatrical; Meknes was Moulay Ismail's 17th-century Alaouite capital; and Rabat is the modern capital and Almohad-era fortress city.

King Mohammed VI has reigned since 1999, succeeding his father King Hassan II. He is the 23rd sovereign of the Alaouite dynasty, which has ruled Morocco since 1666 — the oldest reigning royal house in the Arab world. The king is both head of state and Amir al-Mu'minin (Commander of the Faithful), the religious leader of Moroccan Muslims.

For dedicated history travellers we recommend our Imperial Cities of Morocco tour (focused on Fez, Meknes, Rabat & Marrakech), our 14-day Majestic Morocco tour (which adds Volubilis, Aït Ben Haddou, and the Sahara), or our Jewish Heritage Morocco tour for the layered Berber-Arab-Sephardic history. Every itinerary can be tailored to add more time at any specific site or era.

History You Can Touch, Taste, and Sleep Inside

In Morocco, history isn't behind glass. You drink mint tea in a Saadian-era riad, pray (or simply listen) at an Almohad-era mosque, study zellige patterns laid by Merinid craftsmen, and fall asleep in a kasbah that watched caravans cross the Sahara. The dynasties may have come and gone, but the country they built is still standing — and waiting for you to walk through it.