Imperial cities of Morocco

Fez was founded and built up from 789 to 808 by both Idris I and Idris II. During Idris I's reign the city mainly existed on the right side of the Oued Fes riverbank, after he [Idris I] passed and Idris II took control and expanded into the left side of the riverbank.^[3]

Fez was the capital city several times:

• under the Idrisid dynasty, from the beginning of the 9th century to 974;
• under the Marinid dynasty, from 1244 to 1465;
• during the 15th century Idrisid interlude, from 1465 to 1471;
• under the Wattasid dynasty, from 1471 to 1554;
• under the Saadi dynasty, from 1603 to 1627;
• during the 17th century Dila'ite interlude, from 1659 to 1663;
• under the Alawi dynasty, from 1666 to 1672 and from 1727 to 1912.

Marrakesh, the first of the four imperial cities,^[4] is considered a symbol of Morocco and the power of the Almoravid and Almohad dynasties. It was founded in 1070/71 by Yusuf ibn Tashufin^[4] and became the capital for the two following centuries. In the 16th century Marrakesh was used by the 'Alawites as a military post.^[4]

Marrakesh was the capital city for:

• the Almoravid dynasty, from 1071 to 1147;
• the Almohad dynasty, from 1147 to 1244;
• the Saadi dynasty, as princes of Tagmadert from 1511 to 1554 and as sultans of Morocco from 1554 to 1659.