Hajar an-Nasar
Encyclopedia
Hajar an-Nasar a fortress and sometime capital of northern Morocco
under the 10th-century Idrisid dynasty, now an archeological site. It is situated on a rocky crest overlooking the headwaters of a tributary of the Loukos River about 40 km almost due east of the modern city of Larache
.
It was probably built by Muhammad ibn Idris
or one of his sons during the 9th century, and was finally destroyed in 996 by the Maghrawa
chief Ziri ibn Atiyya
. It served as a place of refuge for the Idrisid dynasty rulers, and sometimes alternated with al-Basra
as their capital.
The location of Hajar an-Nasar was a mystery to historians for the last two hundred years. In 1905 a French researcher noted that Sīdī Mazwār, who as eldest son of the Idrisid ruler Ali ibn Idris
had renounced power and dedicated his life to religion, was buried there. Because the marabout
of Sīdī Mazwār is a known shrine and pilgrimage site of the Larache
region to this day, this should have fixed the location. However, this clue was ignored, and as late as 1980 an American expedition searched in vain for the site some 30 km away. A combined Spanish and Moroccan expedition visited the correct location in 1993 and have provided the only description published so far (Cressier et al., see below). Some sections of the ramparts and some steps, all built in massive stone blocks, are the only ruins visible on the surface.
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
under the 10th-century Idrisid dynasty, now an archeological site. It is situated on a rocky crest overlooking the headwaters of a tributary of the Loukos River about 40 km almost due east of the modern city of Larache
Larache
Larache is an important harbour town in the region Tanger-Tétouan in northern Morocco. It was founded in the 7th century when a group of Muslim soldiers from Arabia extended their camp at Lixus onto the south bank of the Loukkos River.In 1471, the Portuguese settlers from Asilah and Tangier drove...
.
It was probably built by Muhammad ibn Idris
Muhammad ibn Idris
Muhammad ibn Idris was one of the sons and successor of Idris II of Morocco. He took power in 828 and died in 836.-References:...
or one of his sons during the 9th century, and was finally destroyed in 996 by the Maghrawa
Maghrawa
The Maghrawa or Meghrawa were a Berber tribe in Morocco and central and western Algeria.-History:The Meghrawa, a tribe of Zanata Berbers, were one of the first Berber tribes to submit to Islam in the 7th century. They supported Uqba ibn Nafi in his campaign to the Atlantic in 683...
chief Ziri ibn Atiyya
Ziri ibn Atiyya
Ziri ibn 'Atiyya ibn Abd Allah ibn Tabādalt ibn Muhammad ibn Khazar az-Zanātī al-Maghrāwī al-Khazarī was the first Maghrawa ruler of the Kingdom of Fes and other parts of Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia....
. It served as a place of refuge for the Idrisid dynasty rulers, and sometimes alternated with al-Basra
Basra, Morocco
Basra, Morocco, nicknamed Basra al-Hamra , is an archaeological site in Morocco. It was originally a summer capital of the Idrisid dynasty from the 8th to 10th centuries....
as their capital.
The location of Hajar an-Nasar was a mystery to historians for the last two hundred years. In 1905 a French researcher noted that Sīdī Mazwār, who as eldest son of the Idrisid ruler Ali ibn Idris
Ali ibn Idris
Ali ibn Idris was the fourth Idrisid sultan of Morocco. He was the son of Muhammad ibn Idris whom he succeeded in 836. He died in 848 CE and was succeeded by his brother Yahya I.-References:...
had renounced power and dedicated his life to religion, was buried there. Because the marabout
Marabout
A marabout is a Muslim religious leader and teacher in West Africa, and in the Maghreb. The marabout is often a scholar of the Qur'an, or religious teacher. Others may be wandering holy men who survive on alms, Sufi Murshids , or leaders of religious communities...
of Sīdī Mazwār is a known shrine and pilgrimage site of the Larache
Larache
Larache is an important harbour town in the region Tanger-Tétouan in northern Morocco. It was founded in the 7th century when a group of Muslim soldiers from Arabia extended their camp at Lixus onto the south bank of the Loukkos River.In 1471, the Portuguese settlers from Asilah and Tangier drove...
region to this day, this should have fixed the location. However, this clue was ignored, and as late as 1980 an American expedition searched in vain for the site some 30 km away. A combined Spanish and Moroccan expedition visited the correct location in 1993 and have provided the only description published so far (Cressier et al., see below). Some sections of the ramparts and some steps, all built in massive stone blocks, are the only ruins visible on the surface.