Why is it also called Sahrij Swani?

Sahrij Swani means "Basin of the Norias" in Arabic. The name comes from the adjoining House of the Ten Norias, whose waterwheels raised water from underground and fed it into the basin.

Can you visit the Agdal Basin?

Yes. The basin is an open public space with a wide paved path around the water, next to Heri es-Souani at the southern edge of the imperial city. It is a relaxed spot to walk and enjoy the view rather than a ticketed monument.

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Agdal Basin (Sahrij Swani)

Monumental royal water reservoir beside Heri es-Souani

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Agdal Basin (Sahrij Swani), Meknes

Monumental royal water reservoir beside Heri es-Souani

The Agdal Basin, known in Arabic as Sahrij Swani ("Basin of the Norias"), is the huge stone reservoir Sultan Moulay Ismail built inside his imperial kasbah in Meknes. The nearly rectangular basin measures about 148.75 by 319 metres and stored water drawn up by the adjoining House of the Ten Norias to supply the palaces, mosques, gardens and orchards of the imperial city, and to guarantee water in times of siege or drought. Large enough for small pleasure boats, it was both a practical waterworks and a place of leisure. Today it is a calm public space where locals walk the wide paved edge and watch the ruined granary walls reflected in the water.

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Meknes

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The basin was a water reservoir for Moulay Ismail's imperial city. It supplied the palaces, mosques, gardens and orchards and served as a reserve against siege or drought; large enough to float small boats, it was also used for leisure.