The Menara Gardens are surrounded by an ancient olive grove. The gardens date back to the 12th century, during…
Marrakech
Marrakech
Marrakech, known as the Red City for its sandstone red walls surrounding the medina, is the 3rd largest city in Morocco. It is one of the four Imperial cities. The other three being Meknes, Fes, and Rabat. The medina, the old city, was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.
The region around Marrakech was inhabited by Berber farmers beginning the Neolithic period. The city itself was founded by Sultan Youssef Ben Tachfine around 1062 as the capital of the Almorivad Empire. During the middle ages, Marrakech served as the market crossroads among the ancient Atlas tribes. Slaves, gold, ivory, and leather brought by caravans from the empires of Mali and Songhay were traded here.
Today, like many Moroccan cities, Marrakech is a city of two parts: the ancient walled Medina and the Ville Nouvelle, or new city, built by the French in the mid 1900s. At the heart of the city is the famous nightmarket, Jmaa el-Fna. Architectural attractions include the Saadian Tombs, the Koutoubia Mosque, El Badi Palace, Bahia Palace, and more.
Although in our opinion the heart of the country is outside of the cities, Marrakech is a must see.
Recommended Length of Stay: 1 -2 days
Marrakech taught me color.Yves Saint Laurent
Places to visit while here
Menara Gardens
The Menara Gardens are landscaped gardens surrounded by an ancient olive grove. The gardens date back to the 12th century, during the Almohad dynasty. The gardens and olive grove are irrigated by the rectangular basin of water that originates in the High Atlas Mountains. The green roofed pavilion, set against the backdrop of the Atlas Mountains, was built in the 16th century during the time of the Saadi dynasty.
Majorelle Gardens
Because of his love affair with the beautify of Morocco, Jacques Majorelle, built himself a villa that he named…
Majorelle Gardens
Because of his love affair with the beautify of Morocco, French painter, Jacques Majorelle, built himself a villa that he named Bou Safsaf. He decorated the interior in deep blue tones. Around the villa, he laid out a luxuriant garden with plants he acquired from his world travels. Some say his garden became more famous than his paintings. Majorelle lived in Morocco until his death in 1962. It wasn’t long after that his abandoned garden fell into disrepair.
Yves Saint-Laurent and Pierre Bergé bought the villa and gardens in 1980 when they discovered the fate of garden was to be sold and replaced by a hotel. The two men undertook the restoration of the garden following the original vision of Majorelle. The painter’s studio became a museum featuring Berber exhibits. After the death of Yves, Pierre donated the villa and the garden to the foundation in Paris that bears both their names.
The most distinctive feature of the site is the colors. Most of the features are painted in what came to be known as “Majorelle Blue.” The blue is beautifully contrasted with bright yellow. The green plants present a fabulous contrast with the blue walls and yellow details.
Yves Saint-Laurent and Pierre Bergé bought the villa and gardens in 1980 when they discovered the fate of garden was to be sold and replaced by a hotel. The two men undertook the restoration of the garden following the original vision of Majorelle. The painter’s studio became a museum featuring Berber exhibits. After the death of Yves, Pierre donated the villa and the garden to the foundation in Paris that bears both their names.
The most distinctive feature of the site is the colors. Most of the features are painted in what came to be known as “Majorelle Blue.” The blue is beautifully contrasted with bright yellow. The green plants present a fabulous contrast with the blue walls and yellow details.
El Badi Palace
The El Badi Palace, which means the “Palace of the Incomparable,” was built under the direction of the Sultan…
El Badi Palace
The El Badi Palace, which means the “Palace of the Incomparable,” was built under the direction of the Sultan Ahmad al-Mansour. Ahmad al-Mansour was the sixth sultan of the Saadian dynasty, and the fifth son of Mohammed ash Sheikh, the founder of the dynasty. In those days, much blood was lost in fighting to be Sultan, even among family members. In fact, Ahmad al-Mansour was exiled from the country for 17 years to escape his eldest brother who claimed the Sultanship after the murder of their father. When Ahmad al-Mansour returned to Morocco, he deposed the then Sultan, son of his eldest brother. He fought the War of the Three Kings which culminated with Mansour becomming Sultan. He built the palace to commemorate the 1578 victory. Construction took 25 years and was funded by Portuguese ransom levied after the war. The palace was lavishly constructed with gold, onyx, and marble. While, today only ruins remain, it is believed that the original structure consisted of 360 rooms, a courtyard, and a central pool. Also on site are several large pavilions that are believed to have been used as summer homes. Stables and dungeons were also located on the site. The dungeons were still used as a state prison until the last century. Following the fall of the Saadians, the palace deteriorated rapidly. In 1696, the Alawite Sultan Moulay Ismaïl looted the palace of its lavish treasures and carted his booty off to be used in the construction of his palace in the new capital city of Meknes.
Ben Youssef Medersa
The Koranic school was founded early in the 14th century by the Merinad Sultan, Abu el Hassan. The school…
Ben Youssef Medersa
The Koranic school was founded early in the 14th century by the Merinad Sultan, Abu el Hassan. The school enlarged by the Saadian Sultan, Moulay Addullah in 1570. With a capacity for 900 students, it was the largest Koranic school in Morocco. There were rooms available for students from other areas of Morocco. The name is taken from the Almoravid mosque of Ali ben Youssef , also in the Marrakech Medina. The mosque and the medersa were considered a centre of religion for four centuries. The internal structures are stunningly preserved and show off the beautiful architecture of the period. Even the student dormitories, arranged around the central courtyard, have been preserved as they were built. It’s amazing to consider how many students would have fit in such small rooms, at least to modern standards. Visitors can roam all throughout the building.
Kasbah Mosque
Built in 1190 during the Almohad dynasty. In keeping with the Almohad customs, the minaret is devoid of…
Saadian Tombs
The Saadian sultan constructed the tombs in the late 16th century. Over 60 members of the Saadian dynasty…
Saadian Tombs
The Saadian sultan, Ahmad al-Mansur, constructed the tombs in the late 16th century. Over 60 members of the Saadian dynasty are buried within them. The tombs were not discovered by modern civilization until 1917 because Alaouite Sultan Moulay Ismail had walled off the entrance in an attempt to erase all traces of his Saadian predecessors. The two mausoleums and gardens within were built to symbolize Allah’s paradise. The central room is a masterpiece of Moorish architecture crowned by an ornate dome supported by 12 columns. The lower portions of the walls are covered by mosaic tilework and the upper portions are made of intricate stucco work.
Bahia Palace
Built at the end of the 19th century, the palace, whose name means the “Palace of the Favorite,” was…
Bahia Palace
Built at the end of the 19th century, the palace, whose name means the “Palace of the Favorite,” was built by two grand viziers - Si Moussa and his son, Ba Ahmed. There are two parts of the palace complex, each built at different times. The older part built by Si Moussa consists of apartments arranged around a marble courtyard. There is also an open courtyard with two star-shaped pools. The newer part, built by Ba Ahmed is a huge palace that appears to be without a plan. It consists of luxurious apartments facing treed courtyards. It is said that Ba Ahmed hired the best artisans in the kingdom to build his palace. Hubert Lyautey, the first French Resident-General in Morocco during the French Protectorate, chose to live in the newer part of the palace complex.
Koutoubia Mosque
The Koutoubia Mosque is the largest mosque in Marrakech. It was built in the 12th century following capture by…
Koutoubia Mosque
The Koutoubia Mosque is the largest mosque in Marrakech. It was built in the 12th century following capture by the Almohads. The mosque was built on the grounds of the former Almorivad palace as the Almohads did not want any remaining traces of Almorivad religious monuments. Midway through construction of the mosque it was discovered that the prayer niche was unaligned to Mecca by 5 degrees. Shortly after this discovery, a second identical mosque was begun. Both mosques shared the same site for 30 years until the first one began to deteriorate. Ironically it was later discovered that the second mosque was out of alignment to Mecca by 10 degrees. The Koutoubia Mosque is the oldest structure of the Almorivad Period. Non-Muslims are not permitted inside the mosque.
Jamaa el-Fna
Jamaa el-Fna is known as the symbol of the city and serves as a showcase for traditional Morocco. …
Jamaa el-Fna
Jamaa el-Fna is known as the symbol of the city and serves as a showcase for traditional Morocco. UNESCO has declared it a World Heritage Site.
In the mornings, the square is relatively quiet. Medicinal plants, freshly squeezed orange juice, and various kinds of nuts and confectionery can be found. As the afternoon moves toward sunset, the square is transformed into a multifaceted open-air market and show. It doesn’t even resemble the quiet place, sparsely filled place of the morning. The air is filled with the scent of grilling meats, the aromas of spices, and the sounds of musicians, dancers, show-men, drum circles, and snake-charmers.
In the mornings, the square is relatively quiet. Medicinal plants, freshly squeezed orange juice, and various kinds of nuts and confectionery can be found. As the afternoon moves toward sunset, the square is transformed into a multifaceted open-air market and show. It doesn’t even resemble the quiet place, sparsely filled place of the morning. The air is filled with the scent of grilling meats, the aromas of spices, and the sounds of musicians, dancers, show-men, drum circles, and snake-charmers.
The Medina and Souks
Laid out on the narrow streets north and east of Jemaa el-Fna, the souks are arranged generally based on…
The Medina and Souks
Laid out on the narrow streets north and east of Jemaa el-Fna, the souks are arranged generally based on the types of goods offered. Many of the souks are named by whatever is sold in them. A wide range of items can be found here including fabric, jewelry, slippers, leatherwork, brass and copper works, basketry, oils, spices, carpets, lamps, fruits, vegetables, live chickens, and more. The only way to explore the souks and the medina is by foot. Everywhere you look there is something to catch your attention. It doesn’t take long to see why Marrakech is known as an assault on the senses. Colors, sounds, scents, and sights blend together like nowhere else.
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