The Alaouites derive their name from their kinship with Ali, the son-in-law of the Prophet. Hailing from the Hejaz, they settled in Tafilalet. The Alaouites ascended to the throne of Morocco after a period of instability following the death of the last Saadian Sultan in 1659. Moulay Rachid, the third Alaouite prince of Tafilalet, reunified the country between 1664 and 1669, reinstating central authority and marking the inception of the Alaouite dynasty of Morocco. His son, Moulay Ismaïl, moved the capital to Meknès, 60 kilometers from Fès. Defending against European offensives, he also contended with rebellious Berber tribes in the mountains. Meknès stands as the dynasty’s foremost achievement, a city with Hispano-Moorish architecture, surrounded by tall walls adorned with monumental gates. It epitomizes the harmonious blend of Islamic and European styles.
