Publication Date
11th - 12th century AH / 17th - 18th century AD
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Library
Museum With No Frontiers
Record ID
monument;ISL;ma;Mon01;27;ar
Library Location
North of Casablanca; Adjacent to the Kasbah, the Souani Cistern, and Ljnan Ben Halima, Meknes, Morocco
Date
11th - 12th century AH / 17th - 18th century AD
Notes
During the era of Sultan Mawla Ismail, the Arab tribes mostly paid their taxes in kind, specifically from grain. The vessels intended for storing the tax crop occupied a selected area within the design of the royal cities, and they constituted warehouses for the food products necessary to supply the cities. Controlling these warehouses was considered a strategic priority for the authority present at the site, especially during the period of conflicts or drought. To this end, Sultan Mawla Ismail built a large and spacious river to store grains, next to his palace. Its walls were built of pink colored plaster, which is a mixture of clay dirt, lime, gravel, and sometimes rubble. The landmark was built on an area measuring 182 meters in length and 104 meters in width, and resting on 305 arches and 23 naves, oriented south-west and north-east, thus presenting a deep and balanced perspective drawing. The building, which consisted of a group of relatively narrow halls around a spacious central hall ( It is 26.30 meters long, 10.70 meters wide, and 9 meters high under the roof. It is used to store food grains and fodder necessary for 12,000 horses of the Royal Guard. The central aisle remained a clear path to the next wall, and the jambs supporting semicircular arches, 3 meters in diameter, divided the hall into 18 cups and 23 naves, which were initially covered by barrel vaults; This particular aspect of the parameter constitutes an amazing part. A large area was also allocated for the mules that brought grain from various regions of the country. Thanks to very thick walls, a constant temperature was maintained to preserve the grain. Moet, who remained a prisoner in Morocco for 11 years, and participated in the construction of the Ismaili Kasbah, spoke of walls reaching a thickness of up to 30 spans, or 7 metres. The Lahri, designated for storing grain, has been partially demolished today, and its upper part is overlooked by a tower, which housed cannons and other war machines that were used to protect the royal palace and the city. The edifice was evacuated in the AH 12th century / AD 18th century, after the Lisbon earthquake. (1755) which struck the city of Meknes, and demolished part of the landmark. These restored warehouses currently constitute the flower of the Alawite heritage in Meknes.
Sample Text
Mohamed Mezzine “Lehri (Granaries)” in Discover Islamic Art. Museum Without Borders, 2026. 2026. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=monument;ISL;ma;Mon01;27;ar
