Founded in the 11th century by the Almoravids as a military
settlement, Meknes became a capital under Sultan Moulay Ismaïl
(1672–1727), the founder of the Alawite dynasty. The sultan turned it
into a impressive city in Spanish-Moorish style, surrounded by high
walls with great doors, where the harmonious blending of the Islamic and
European styles of the 17th century Maghreb are still evident today.