Moulay Idriss Zerhoun is perched on the slopes of the Zerhoun massif, about 25 kilometres north of Meknès and close to the Roman ruins of Volubilis. Its tightly packed white houses, green-tiled roofs, blue doors and narrow, steep streets follow the contours of the hills, creating a distinctive skyline of terraces and minarets. The town’s spiritual heart is the Mausoleum of Moulay Idriss I, founder of Morocco’s first Islamic dynasty, whose tomb has made the town an important place of pilgrimage for centuries. The surrounding countryside is known for its olive groves, along with figs, plums, carob, prickly pears and local honey. What sets Moulay Idriss apart from other Moroccan towns is the combination of its striking hillside setting and profound religious significance: the town seems to rise organically from the mountain, with glimpses of its green roofs and white façades opening between the winding lanes, while the agricultural plain stretches out below.