Tangier, Morocco
Coordinates: 35.787328, -5.813676
Ibn Battuta was a Muslim Berber Moroccan scholar and explorer who widely travelled the medieval world.
Over a period of thirty years, Ibn Battuta visited most of the Islamic world and many non-Muslim lands, including Central Asia, Southeast Asia, India and China.
Near the end of his life, he dictated an account of his journeys, titled A Gift to Those Who Contemplate the Wonders of Cities and the Marvels of Traveling.
He travelled more than any other explorer in distance, totaling around 117,000 km, surpassing Zheng He with about 50,000 km and Marco Polo with 12,000 km.
He returned his home after some 29 years – having visited a region stretching from Western Africa to China.
The tomb of Ibn Battuta can be easily found following the signs located on top of the walls of a few houses of the city.
It’s a 20min walk from the “Petit Socco”. Access is free. The room is small. One has to take off his shoes before entering. You will only see the coffin covered with a green cover with verses from the Coran.
His book of adventures is known as “Rihlat Ibn Battuta” (رحلة ابن بطوطة), i.e. the journey of Ibn Battuta. Pity there is no greater place, say a museum, dedicated to him.
