The heart of Meknes's medina, place el Hedim was originally the western corner of the medina until Moulay Ismail demolished the houses to enable a royal approach to his palace. Besides public executions -- of which Moulay Ismail was particularly fond -- and royal announcements, the square was also used as a storage area for the masses of construction material he had pillaged from around Morocco to build his capital. Meknes authorities have recently cleaned up the square, and during the day it is the medina's premier spot to while away some quality people-watching time. Come here in the early evening, especially in the warmer months, to witness musicians, storytellers, and African herboristes taking center stage in a smaller version of Marrakech's Jemaa el Fna spectacle.