The souks extend around the Great Mosque. Although manufactured goods sometimes occupy too much space here, the Meknes souks are still highly colourful due to the setting and the reigning atmosphere. Often covered with vine arbours or reeds, they are very lively, noisy and full of the unexpected. First is the rug sellers’ and local art objects souk; then, before arriving at the Great Mosque, whose minaret can be seen at the end of the little street, you reach the kissaria (fabrics souk) under an archway on the left.