Dar El-Makhzen

Rabat , Morocco

The first Royal Palace in Rabat was built during the 18th c. The current palace was built by Muhammad IV in 1865/1281 AH, and designed by Louis-Paul Pertuzio and Félix-Joseph Pertuzio. The gardens were designed by Jean-Claude Nicolas Forestier. The palace is a large, walled complex containing the mechouar, the palace, housing for the royal guard, a school for members of the royal family, a library, the Al-Fas Mosque, the Prime Minister's Offices, and the Ministry of Habous (religious endowments). The large entrance gates are elaborately decorate brass doors, surrounded by zelij and carved wood decorated with geometric motifs.