Ruins of Sijilmassa, the first town founded by the Arabs in Morocco. Beginning in the eighth century, Sijilmassa became an important intellectual and commercial center for both Jews and Arabs. The near-by town of Rissani is the ancestral home of the ruling Alaouite dynasty. The fortified towns and villages of the area are striking examples of how Jews lived for centuries with the Arabs of the region. The Jewish cemetery is unenclosed, facing the walls of the town.
We visited the sad cemetery that was difficult to find, beside or in the same old ruins of Sijilmassa that await excavation. Source and photos below courtesy This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. [February 2010]
