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Moroccan Doors and Archways: A Colourful Look at Moorish Arches

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Moroccan Doorways

Moroccan doors set in Moorish arches and surrounded by intricate tile work offer an insight into another world.

They are a fascinating reflection of impeccable craftsmanship. The recurring archways in Moroccan architecture give it a distinctive look, one that is easily recognizable, despite the variety of exact arch shapes used.

Take a look at this photo I took in Meknes, with three different Moroccan archways shapes amongst four arches, while there is only one Moroccan door along the wall. Add the repetitive pattern in the tiles and the solid colour textured wall and the look is inarguably Moorish.

My photo of Moroccan doors in Meknes

Features of Moorish Arches

After spending a month in Morocco, we saw hundreds of different Moroccan doors, often set into a variety of subtly different shapes.

Yet, despite the differences, there is something unique about the general style. When we visited places in Spain like Alhambra in Granada or the Alcazar in Seville, their similar archways instantly conjured up images of Morocco in my head.

The key features are:

  • Originally designed for stability and structure, today Moroccan arches are often just decor.
  • The horseshoe arch (also called the keyhole arch, Moroccan arch, or Moorish arch) is one of the most common shapes in Moroccan architecture. It’s an emblematic arch of Islamic architecture.
  • The arch itself forms more than just a semicircle, with a rounded, pointed or lobed top portion.
  • Expertly crafted with Precision and detail.
  • We saw Arches in nearly every Moroccan mosque, home, gate, and other buildings.
Street vendors in Fes Morocco
The aroma of barbecue lured us to this street in the old Medina in Fes
Beautiful wooden Moroccan arched doorways in Fes Morocco
The Blue Gate in Fes Morocco
The Blue Gate in Fes
The Blue Gate in Fes is the main entrance to the old Medina. It is blue on the outside and green inside the Medina.
The Moussem of Moulay Idriss II Festival is featured in the lower photo.
Local life in Meknes Morocco
A look at local life through an arched doorway.
An open Moorish arch in the gate to the old city of Meknes Morocco
An open archway in the gate to the old city of Meknes.

Features of Moroccan doors

  • Moroccan doors are often oversized and intricately patterned.
  • Often made with expert craftmanship skills passed down through the generations.
  • Blue colours commonly used on doors represent the sky, heaven, water and the planet Mercury. Blues range from greenish turquoise to dark indigo.
  • Walking the streets of both the medinas and modern areas of town is an eclectic mix of newer doors and century-old masterpieces.
  • Often the patterns tell a story, often defining heritage or culture.
arched doorways and Moroccan doors
Many Moroccan doors or surrounding arched doorways feature intricate tile work.
Looking into a Mosque in Fes Morocco
The call to prayer resonates off the walls, and the door to the mosque is open.
Wooden Moroccan doors set in beautifully tiled arched doors
A closed gate along the Medina wall in Meknes Morocco
A closed gate along the Medina wall in Meknes.
Colourful door to a Koranic school in Meknes
A colourful door to a Koranic school in Meknes.
Beautiful horseshoe arch doorway of the Societe Generale, the bank in Fes Morocco
The National bank in Fes.
Massive Moroccan doors at the tourist office in Meknes Morocco.
Our girls give a bit of perspective to the size of these massive Moroccan doors at the tourist office in Meknes.

Moroccan doors on this page

Although we travelled throughout much of the country, the Moroccan doors on this page are in Fes or Meknes.

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A collection of images of Moroccan doors set in arched doorways and surrounded by intricate tile work offer an insight into another world, a fascinating reflection of craftsmanship.

Are you a fan of Moorish architecture and Moroccan doors? Do you photograph arched doorways?

More from Morocco you might enjoy:

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. We do love Moroccan architecture, and the doors and arches are a big part of that. They are truly iconic, but from what we’ve seen, the whole country seems to be super photogenic. Can’t wait to visit ourselves!

    Reply

  4. Hmmm the style reminds me of some of the architecture I saw in Seville, I guess that’s the Moorish influence? I’d love to visit Morocco someday!

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  6. You want to believe all these beautiful doors hold something mysterious and exotic behind them. Though they probably just hide normal homes and businesses. i can see why you took so many photos.

    Reply

  7. Lovely photos, and great tips about where and when it’s okay to take photos! It’s so important to make sure you’re not offending anyone when taking photos, especially when traveling in a new place.

    Reply

  8. They are all beautiful, of course, but my favorite is the one with the barbecue. The light on the smoke is perfect.

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  9. Nice pictures! We’ve never been to Morocco (despite we live in Barcelona… really close!) but is high in our bucket list. Hope that we can manage to visit this beautiful country soon. In the meantime we can have a look to your amazing pictures.

    Reply

  11. Love the doors and am glad I found another shutter-bug who takes as many photos of them as I do. Fabulous post. I could almost smell the food being bbq-ed in that last photo!!

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  12. Absolutely beautiful! Such amazing shapes and colours… though it does sound like it might be a little intimidating to take photos.

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  14. What a great collection of doors, Rhonda. I am a great fan of Moorish architecture and Morocco seems to be quite the place to see that. Your photos are spectacular!

    Reply

  17. This is AWESOME! I love the theme since I have a weird obsession with doors, gates, entrances, etc. because they tell you soooooo much.

    Reply

  18. I always love unique door shots and Morocco sure does have some gorgeous doors! Great tips about taking photos, I’m currently searching for a camera and may try the Olympus.

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  19. Hi Rhonda – stunning aren’t they … love seeing the vistas you create … it just must be beautiful to see – cheers Hilary

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  20. Hi Rhonda. What a wonderful collection of Moroccan Doors and Doorways. They are all beautiful but I think the most alluring is the half vision of a BBQ through the last gate with the atmospheric smoke. It makes me wish I was there.

    Reply

  21. I enjoy taking pictures of doors and windows when I travel. However, I guess Morocco needs to win a prize for its wonderful doors and arches. I like that some of your photos show different layers. There is a door and thru it you can see an arch and in some cases another arch. It is like it keep going and going and you ar enot sure what you are going to find in the next area. Feel awesome! #TPThursday #wkendtravelinspiration

    Reply

  22. What a great round-up of doors! So interesting with the unique arch. Interesting fact that some people make their living posing for photos, I had no idea.

    Reply

  23. I’m a huge fan of Arabic styled doors and windows. They always make for the perfect photo op. This post makes me want to go back to look at all the window and door shots I took at the Alhambra in Granada a few years ago.

    Reply

  25. I find the contrast between the rich architecture and the people lying in doorways very striking. I wouldn’t want to make assumptions, but the people do seem weary and look as if they are taking shelter – perhaps because they have nowhere else to go.

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  26. Oh, I love Arabic doors… I’ve been in few Muslim countries such as Algeria, Oman or Zanzibar, but I haven’t ever seen so nice… So beautiful photos 🙂 #wkendtravelinspiration

    Reply

  27. I love these doorways!! Your pictures of Morocco make me want to go there. The little one loves reading Aladin, so I guess can tell him we are going to Aladin’s home.

    Reply

  29. They sure have a lot of rules about things. I’m glad you all had a great time.

    Great photography as always.

    Have a fabulous day. ☺

    Reply

  32. This is such a wonderful post. Those beautiful doors and archways are exactly the reason I would love to travel to Morocco. So many photo opportunities. You also gave some great photography tips, which I will share with my sister who is travelling there soon.

    Reply

  37. So many cool looking doors! I too find doors to be very interesting. My favorite is the one with the person sitting in the doorway, although the one with what looks like a smaller door in the large door is intriguing as well.

    Reply

  42. I feel so much better about all the time I have spent on Pinterest looking at interesting doors! I don’t know what it is – but I do find it so interesting and fascinating. It’s the combination of the actual “look” of the door — plus the whole idea of like you say – entering or opening up to something else. The mystery behind the door. it’s intriguing.

    Reply

  43. I would loveeee to visit Moroccio sometime. I think these pictures are awesome!!!!
    :))
    I think eveery door is distinct, so cannot chose!

    Reply

  44. I loved the doors to the Pantheon. I also loved the doors to the US Supreme Court building.

    I know they look similar and are not related, lol.

    You have the most amazing travels. I hope you print your pictures out and save them, it must be an extensively wonderful collection to peruse from time to time, if you do. 🙂

    Reply

  45. I find doors and archways fascinating too! They’re all beautiful, but the blue one is my favourite, cos I love anything blue & whte 🙂

    Reply

  49. We have that in common, my mom is fascinated with doors as well and I love architectural photos anyway, we have a lot of door photos too! I had no idea we had that in common! GREAT shots! I can’t wait to visit Morocco!

    Reply

  50. Lots of beautiful photos. Every door is interesting in its own way. Loved your last line, and it really rings true!

    Reply

  51. Honestly, I feel a little bit jealous now:) I am an architect and this way a huge fan of the islamic architecture, I somehow feel some love about those geometric patterns and curves. The islamic ornamental design is pure math art; actually that’s what I research in my studio now. I wish I could visit these gorgeous doors as well! I really would like to sketch ’em all:)

    Reply

  62. These are fabulous. It’s a toss up between the door that’s green and blue or the one with the fine details carved into the brick. All are cool.

    Reply

  64. Hari OM
    Yes, I like doors!! Have a habit of photographing them also. I agree that there is invitation, curiosity, mystique…

    Photo number four holds all of that and the busy street actually adds to a kind of tension which is relieved by letting the eye and mind wander inwards – a sublime rendition of spiritual purpose!!

    Blessings, YAM xx

    Reply

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