Heri es-Swani in Meknes, Morocco Jan. 11, 2025

An imperial city in northern central Morocco, Meknes is steeped in history. Once the capital of Morocco under Sultan Ismail Ibn Sharif of the Alawi dynasty in the 17th century, it"s known for its massive walls, grand gates and structures built to last centuries. Meknes reflects the Moroccan style of architecture, with one of its most impressive landmarks being Heri es-Swani, seen in today"s image.

© Calin Stan/Shutterstock

palette

Today in History

Stairway to where?
Jan. 11, 2024Eurasian lynx
Jan. 11, 2026Blue walls of Chefchaouen, Morocco

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Winter at Valley Forge
Feb. 23, 2026Great white egret, Upper Bavaria, Germany
More of a moustache than a beard?
May 11, 2024World Migratory Bird Day
May 14, 2025Porto Flavia, Sulcis-Iglesiente, Sardinia, Italy
A glowing square of squares
An endless stretch of sky
Apr. 2, 2025Sandstone formations in the badlands near Caineville, Utah, United States
Protecting the gentle giants
Feb. 1, 2025Rolands Breach, Spain
Dec. 10, 2023Sand dunes in the Sahara, Algeria
Dec. 8, 2025Christmas lights on buildings of Domaso, Lake Como, Italy
To the infinite and back
Jun. 5, 2024World Environment Day
A starry night!
Oct. 21, 2025Happy Diwali!
Nov. 11, 2024Banff National Park, Alberta
City of ice
Jun. 22, 2025World Rainforest Day
Feb. 15, 2025The natural ice wall of Misotsuchi, Chichibu, Japan
Oct. 7, 2024World Architecture Day
A different kind of toucan
Behold the architectural marvel
An engineering marvel
Oct. 22, 2024Palazzo Zuccari, Rome
Aug. 9, 2025International Day of the Worlds Indigenous Peoples
Dec. 30, 2023Daiichi Tadami River Bridge, Fukushima, Japan
Turtle-y nice day for a swim
Mar. 29, 2024South Stack Lighthouse, Holyhead, Wales, UK
The lungs of Earth