History & heritage / History · Alaouite dynasty
1666: a dynasty still reigning
The Alaouite dynasty has ruled Morocco since 1666. It is one of the long-surviving reigning dynasties, but Morocco is not the world’s oldest monarchy.
The full picture
Beyond the number
The Alaouite dynasty has ruled Morocco since 1666. It is one of the long-surviving reigning dynasties, but Morocco is not the world’s oldest monarchy.
The Alaouites emerged from Tafilalt and consolidated rule in the seventeenth century.
Morocco’s official tourism site dates the Alaouite dynasty from 1666 to the present. Comparing “oldest monarchies” depends on whether a list counts a state, a royal family, or uninterrupted rule; the site makes no world rank claim.
Then / Now
How the story unfolded
Morocco’s official tourism history dates the Alaouite dynasty from this year.
Rabat became the capital.
Morocco regained independence.
The dynasty remains in place, 360 years after 1666.
Verify it
Sources & further reading
- Moroccan National Tourism Office · dynastic history
- Maroc.ma · important dates from Royal Institute for Research on the History of Morocco
Image credits
- Royal Palace in Rabat, photographed in 2005: Bernard Gagnon · CC BY-SA 3.0
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