Founded in the 11th century by Almoravid rulers as a military town, Meknes became a capital under Sultan Moulay Ismaïl (1672- 1727), the founder of the Alaouite dynasty. The Sultan turned it into a impressive place in Spanish-Moorish style surrounded by high walls with great doors which show today the harmonious blending of Islamic and European styles of the 17th-century Maghreb.