Jews from different ethnicities lived in Meknes. Spanish exiles and other Jews have been living near the mausoleum of Moulay Ismail and at different parts of Meknes. Moulay Ismail introduced us to great monuments and palaces.Â
Jews were ordered by the Sultan to regroup in a new district that he sold them. At the end of the 19th-century, there were about 260 houses, providing a home to 1152 families.Â
Although gleeful when itâs sunny, the old Mellah used to get disgusting and stinky when it rained. Mud formed and an unpleasant odour roamed the streets. The new Medina is different - as expected. Between 1926 and 1930, the new Mellah was built. The streets are wider with lesser houses and a better management system.
The old Mellah had 19 synagogues, and the new one has 17. Luxury and lavishness were not on their minds when they built theses synagogues. However, it does not lessen their distinct appeal. The Mellah quarters are still vital parts of Moroccoâs culture, and theyâre still architecturally breathtaking.