Transforming Dar Moulay Hicham into a Hebrew Heritage Center
The Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication has unveiled a comprehensive plan aimed at restoring and preserving the historical site of Dar Moulay Hicham. This initiative was announced in response to a written inquiry from a parliamentary deputy, highlighting the ministry's commitment to cultural heritage preservation. The plan involves converting this significant landmark into a center dedicated to showcasing Hebrew cultural heritage in the city of Demnate, as part of the regional development program for the years 2022 to 2027.
The ministry’s response indicated that the restoration and preparation of Dar Moulay Hicham will proceed in accordance with an agreement reached with the Beni Mellal-Khenifra regional council and the culture sector. Furthermore, the ministry is actively working to regularize the legal status of the property, which is currently categorized as ownerless. To this end, the regional inspection of historical buildings is collaborating with the Department of State Properties to prepare a registration file for the site in the list of state-owned properties, with the aim of rectifying its “irregular” status.
Since 2019, the regional cultural heritage preservation authority has been preparing a request to classify Dar Moulay Hicham in the national heritage list, a proposal that has received the approval from the classification committee. Preliminary studies encompassing both architectural and technical aspects have revealed that the historic building is part of a larger complex featuring granaries and a side riad, all surrounded by defensive walls and towers. These studies have confirmed that the architectural style of the site aligns with similar structures found in Meknes and Tadla, suggesting that restoration and reconstruction can be conducted following the established scientific and technical standards for the preservation of historical sites.
Historical Significance and Urgent Preservation Needs
In addition to the Dar Moulay Hicham project, the ministry has also submitted a request for the classification of the historical walls and gates of Demnate in the national heritage list since 2019. These structures underwent extensive restoration by the culture sector in 2008, followed by additional restoration efforts coordinated by the regional council. Currently, only a small portion remains to be restored, which the council is planning to address in the near future.
Dar Moulay Hicham, a historical monument reflecting the strategic importance of Demnate in earlier times, was constructed by Sultan Moulay Hicham to serve as a political and economic center. Unfortunately, this once-majestic site has fallen into a state of significant neglect and deterioration, transforming it into mere ruins and crumbling walls that have become a refuge for vagrants and a security concern for nearby residents. This decline threatens to obscure its rich historical narrative and erases a vital piece of the city’s memory.
Local stakeholders, including researchers and community leaders, are increasingly vocal about the urgent need for intervention from relevant authorities to save this tangible heritage from disappearing. Proposals emphasize the necessity of restoring the site and upgrading it to a local museum or a cultural and tourist attraction, which would contribute to preserving local identity and stimulating the economy through cultural tourism.
As reported by al3omk.com.
