The Bank al-Maghrib Museum in Rabat is one of the most interesting museums in the Moroccan capital, which is distinguished precisely by the variety of such cultural spaces. We have covered some of them in this blog, such as the Villa des Arts or the Jewelry Museum, and now it’s the turn of this one, located in the heart of the city, representing one of the best surprises a tourist can find in Rabat.
What is the Bank al-Maghrib Museum
The Bank al-Maghrib Museum is the museum of Morocco’s central bank, which is the institution responsible for overseeing the local economy, the operation of private banks, and, above all, issuing the local currency (dirham) and establishing its value, just like other central banks worldwide.
And like those same central banks, it has its own museum, located in the kingdom’s capital, Rabat. Therefore, it is an essentially economic and numismatic museum, but it also features other more general spaces that may be of interest to any type of tourist. This museum was founded in 2002, under the reign of Mohammed VI, and renovated in 2009 to provide facilities more in line with its mission.
Areas of the Bank al-Maghrib Museum
The exhibition space of the Bank al-Maghrib Museum is divided into three main areas:
- History of Bank al-Maghrib
- History of Currencies
- Art Gallery
From a purely tourist perspective, the latter two areas are perhaps the most interesting. The space dedicated to the History of Currencies reviews the bank’s own numismatic holdings, meaning coins dating back to Antiquity, for example, to the Roman era, when northern Morocco was part of that great empire. The Islamic expansion also brought about a fundamental change in monetary matters, as demonstrated by the halls, featuring Umayyad coins or the famous Almohad double dinar, among others, as well as banknotes leading up to the current dinar. In total, more than 30,000 monetary documents, of which only the most representative are exhibited.
As for the Art Gallery, this institution exhibits its rich collection of artworks, acquired or bequeathed in various ways, which represents an economic asset in itself for the central bank, as if they were authentic gold ingots. This collection of artworks focuses primarily on contemporary Moroccan art, with paintings and sculptures by artists such as Jilali Gharbaoui, Ahmed Cherkaoui, Omar Bouragba, or Farid Belkahia. But there are also foreign creators well represented in this gallery, including some of the most notable ‘Orientalists’ like Jacques Majorelle, who were influenced by the intense light and vibrant colors of the country’s streets.
Additionally, the museum features resources designed for children to explore the collections in a way adapted to their knowledge, as well as activities for educational centers. And at the opposite end, the museum also has an area designed for a MICE audience, i.e., visitors oriented towards the business and corporate sector.
Practical Information for Visiting the Museum
The Bank al-Maghrib Museum is located in the heart of the city, within the historic premises of the bank itself. Here are the details you’ll find useful for your visit:
- Address: Angle Avenue Allal Ben Abdellah et Rue Al-Qahira
- Hours: Tuesday to Friday, 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Sundays from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Closed Mondays.
- Price: 20 DH. Groups of 3 or more people, 10 DH. Free for students and on Fridays.
