Visiting Rabat? Don’t miss the Tour Hassan and the Mausolée Mohammed V, two emblematic sites that bear witness to the capital’s history and architectural heritage.
Remnant of a grandiose XIIᵉ century project, the Tour Hassan impresses with its unfinished minaret and the columns of its former mosque. Right next door, the Mohammed V Mausoleum, with its gleaming white marble and green-tiled roof, houses the tombs of several kings of Maroc. Between medieval grandeur and contemporary homage, discover in this article our useful tips in images to best prepare your visit.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Why visit the Hassan Tower and Mohammed V Mausoleum?
Are the Hassan Tower and Mohammed V Mausoleum worth it? Our opinion:
The Hassan Tower and Mohammed V Mausoleum are well worth a visit for their refined ornamentation and strong symbolism – the Hassan Tower, a vestige of an unfinished Almohad ambition, and the Mausoleum, a tribute to Mohammed V, father of Morocco’s independence Maroc. Last but not least, the site is worth a visit for its superb panoramic views over Rabat, allowing visitors to appreciate the dialogue between historical heritage and urban renewal.
Why are the Hassan Tower and Mohammed V Mausoleum famous?
These monuments are major political symbols of Rabat. The Hassan Tower is one of the “three sisters”, alongside the Koutoubia Mosque at Marrakech and the Giralda in Sevilla. All three were built by the same architects under the Almohad dynasty, during the Moorish era in Andalucia. The Mausoleum symbolizes the independence of Maroc.
Our favorite moment
We were struck by the striking contrast between these two monuments, between past and present. On one side, a thousand-year-old tower, on the other a mausoleum celebrating the country’s independence. Two powerful symbols, one religious, the other political, brought together in a setting overlooking the city, where historical heritage and modern buildings are mixed together.
History in brief
Hassan Tower
- 1199: Construction is abandoned after being commissioned by Almohad sultan Yaqoub el-Mansour (1184-1199). The unfinished 44-meter tower (instead of the planned 60 meters) was to be the world’s tallest minaret, accompanied by a huge mosque.
- 1755: The Lisbon earthquake destroys much of the mosque, leaving only the tower and column bases.
- XXᵉ century: Archaeological excavations (1914-1915 and 1943-1944) reveal the site’s historical importance.
Mohammed V Mausoleum
- 1961: Death of King Mohammed V, father of Moroccan independence. His son, King Hassan II, decides to build a mausoleum in his honor.
- 1967-1971: Construction of the monument, designed by Vietnamese architect Cong Vo Toan, combining Arabo-Andalusian architecture and modern materials.
- 1999: King Hassan II is buried alongside his father, followed later by his brother, Prince Moulay Abdallah.
Access: Hassan Tower and Mohammed V Mausoleum, Rabat
Where are the Hassan Tower and Mohammed V Mausoleum?
The monuments are located in Rabat city center, on Boulevard Mohamed Lyazidi. They are located on the same esplanade, facing each other. The authentic medina is just a 15-minute walk away.
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How to get there?
From the medina, allow 15 minutes on foot.
If you’re coming from Rabat station, take streetcar L1 HAYK – MIRF to the R-Place 16 Novembre stop. For travel from other areas, we recommend you opt for a blue cab or book a trip using the Careem app.
Parking
There is no on-site parking, but parking is available in and around rue Saadiyine. For more information on available spaces, visit the official parking website here.
Useful tips: duration, schedules, eating…
Best time to visit
We advise you to choose a day with good weather to stroll along the esplanade and enjoy the various water features. Summer is a busy time for tourists, with high temperatures. You could opt for a visit just before sunset to enjoy the colorful landscape and the Hassan Tower, illuminated at night.
Length of visit and main difficulties
Allow 1h to 1h30 for your visit.
Access is partially accessible for PRMs, given the few steps required to reach certain areas of the mausoleum.
Advice on how to visit
We recommend you start by observing the Hassan Tower, built in the 12th century, before exploring the more contemporary mausoleum. The site has two entrances: one on Boulevard Mohamad Lyazidi and the other on Rue Saadiyine.
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Visiting with children
There are no special facilities for children, but the esplanade is a pleasant place for them to stretch their legs!
Schedules and rates
Both monuments are free to visit.
Both sites are open daily:
- from 06:30 to 22:45, for the Hassan Tower.
- from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., for the Mohammed V Mausoleum.
Guided tours
The site does not offer an official guided tour.
However, you can book a city tour that includes visits to both monuments – more information, prices and availability here.
Catering
There are no restaurants on site, but we recommend the medina’s restaurants, just a 15-minute walk away. The nearby Restaurant Chez Chihab is also a good option for your lunch break.
Discover the Hassan Tower
A place steeped in history
Have you noticed the royal guards standing at the entrance on horses? They’re in charge of security and protocol.
Once through the gates, you can admire the sheer size of the tower, 44m high. It’s hard to believe that it was intended to reach a height of 80m, including the lantern, as the minaret of a grandiose mosque conceived by Sultan Yacoub Al Mansour in 1196. Sadly, the dream vanished with the sultan’s death in 1199, and no monarch continued its construction. We learned that, instead of staircases, there was a system of ramps that once enabled the muezzin to mount his horse and call for prayer.
Ornamental architecture
You can’t visit the interior of the Tour Hassan, but its exterior ornamentation deserves your full attention! Constructed of rough stone with a patina of age, the tower rises majestically, displaying a subtle décor of relief and geometry.
As is often the case with minarets, the lower part of the tower is deliberately unadorned: in the past, the roof of the mosque rested against it.
The upper levels, on the other hand, are decorated with complex geometric motifs.
The ornamentation, characteristic of Almohad architecture, is based on several registers of arcatures surmounted by interlacing panels forming the Sebka geometric motifs. These incipient arches are supported by marble and stone columns, some of which are surmounted by carved capitals dating back to the 10th-century Caliphate of Cordoba, a precious legacy fromal-Andalus.
Visit to the Mohammed V Mausoleum
A place to remember
After admiring the tower, you can then head for the esplanade of the mausoleum, commissioned by King Hassan II to honor his father, Mohammed V.
The choice to place it opposite the Hassan Tower is symbolic. Indeed, it was here that Mohammed V led the first Friday prayer after his return from exile in Madagascar on November 18, 1955, just before the declaration of independence of Maroc.
Did you know? Construction, entrusted to Vietnamese architect Eric Vo Toàn, took 14 years, from 1961 to 1974, and involved many Moroccan craftsmen.
A majestic site
The mausoleum’s Arab-Andalusian-inspired architecture dazzled us with its refined decorations. We loved the dialogue between the white Italian marble and the pyramidal roof with its green tiles, a color reminiscent of the star on the Moroccan flag. Elegant fountains also create a soothing, meditative atmosphere.
Inside, the walls chiselled with Koranic calligraphy and covered with colorful mosaics bear witness to exceptional craftsmanship. Don’t miss the Atlas cedar and painted mahogany dome, and the columns with their finely ornamented capitals.
Moorish arches frame the space with elegance, creating a solemn atmosphere.
The burial chamber, accessible via a staircase, is surrounded by a gallery from which you can observe the sarcophagus of King Mohammed V. Prince Moulay Abdallah and, since July 30, 1999, King Hassan II, also lie in the corners, united in this place of family and national remembrance.
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Frequently asked questions
Can we climb to the top of the Hassan Tower?
No, access to the inside of the tower is forbidden to the public.
For a clear view, we recommend you go to the Salé marina, from where you’ll have a magnificent view of the Hassan Tower!
Is there a code for visiting the Mohammed V Mausoleum?
It is advisable to dress respectfully (shoulders and knees covered), although access is not strictly regulated. Photos are permitted, but we recommend that you take them discreetly to respect the solemnity of the place.
What’s the difference between the Hassan Tower and the Mohammed VI Tower?
The Tour Hassan dates back to the 12th century, while the Tour Mohammed VI was built in 2018 and 2023. The former had a religious function as the minaret of a Mosque, while the latter houses a hotel, offices, etc.
