Moulay Ismail's monumental royal granaries and water house
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Heri es-Souani, Meknes
Moulay Ismail's monumental royal granaries and water house
Heri es-Souani is the vast royal granary complex Sultan Moulay Ismail built inside his imperial kasbah in Meknes to store grain and provision the city and its horses through a possible siege. Its main hall measures roughly 182 by 104 metres and is divided by rows of thick arches, with walls several metres thick of rammed earth and stone that kept the interior cool. Grain was tipped in through openings in the vaulted roofs, and an adjoining structure, the House of the Ten Norias (Dar el-Ma), drew up water for the complex. Many of the vaults have since collapsed, leaving a striking forest of arches that is one of the most memorable sights in Meknes. It is often loosely called the "royal stables," though the actual stables stood separately.
Why visit
Heri es-Souani in Meknes is the monumental royal granary of Sultan Moulay Ismail, built to store grain for the imperial city and its horses through a long siege.
Its collapsed vaults have left a vast forest of thick arches, one of the most atmospheric and photogenic sights in Meknes.
The complex shows off remarkable 17th-century engineering: metres-thick rammed-earth walls for insulation and an ingenious water system fed by the adjoining House of the Ten Norias.
What to expect
Long, cool corridors of massive arches, some vaults still roofed and others open to the sky, with grass growing between the ruined halls.
Nearby stand the House of the Ten Norias (Dar el-Ma) and the great Agdal Basin, which supplied water to the complex and the imperial gardens.
Best time
The thick walls keep the halls cool even in summer, making midday a comfortable visit; softer morning or late-afternoon light is best for photographing the arches.
Practical tips
Heri es-Souani sits at the southern edge of the imperial city, a longer walk or short taxi ride from Place El Hedim and the mausoleum.
Combine it with the neighbouring Agdal Basin in one visit; wear comfortable shoes as the ground inside is uneven earth.
Location
Meknes
FAQs
It was built as a granary to store grain for the imperial city and its horses through a possible siege, and its name means "silo of the norias." It is often loosely called the royal stables, but the actual stables stood as a separate structure nearby.
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