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The mosque of the Koutoubia, the Palace of the Bahia, the Médersa Ben Youssef, Saadians tombs Marrakech abounds in witnesses of the ancestral dynasties which contribute to reviving its old times splendour. Treasures that you will discover while strolling at your rhythm from derb to derb or with a local guide that will share his inherited knowledge. Don't miss here and there the beauty of a door, a fountain, an arabesque or a moucharabieh. The medina offers treasures of an architectural beauty to whom can appreciate it.
The crowdy and coloured souks
From a shop to another one, the medina is offering a true flavour and colour treat which carries you away in the atmosphere of the traditional caravanserails. Merchants come from the four corners of the country to sell their products. The medina of Marrakech developed over the years a special spirit of trade.
From nicnacs to rare and precious objects, you'll find them all. The souk of the dyers, the souk of the babouches, the souk of the carpets, that of the dinandiers, of coppers each one of them will reveal to you its own colour fresco and will become for you the meeting and never-ending chatting place which will leave delicious travel memory with a minty flavour.
The Jemaâ El Fna Square
Famous square registered on the UNESCO world heritage, it represents the nerve centre of the medina. In the late afternoon, when the sunrays become softer, you will enjoy resting at one of the pleasant terraces and contemplating one of the shows impossible to circumvent during your stay. In addition to the snake charmers, the fortune-tellers and the tooth pullers who lives up this mythical place, the place also welcomes etals of tasty meals which are cooked, in front of your eyes, and to which you will not probably resist.
The Mosque of the Koutoubia
The Koutoubia is one of the largest mosques of the Moslem Occident, and may be the most beautiful one in its harmonious unity. It shows with eloquence the Almohade stage of the hispano-moorish art which meets a simplicity with a marvellous skill. Built during the 12th century, it celebrates the Abd victory el-Moumen over the Almoravides in 1162, Its minaret, refined and robust, 70 m high, is made of pink hardcores of Guéliz. The prayer room can, for its part, welcome up to 20,000 community members. Access to the mosque is restricted to Muslims but you will be able to wonder through the gardens.
The ramparts of the Red city
Thick muraille, 19 km long and 5 meters high, made of bricks and earth, it was built by the Almoravides at the early XIth century. Strengthened with towers, it is also pierced with twenty monumental doors which allow access to the old city. Its ochre colour gives marvellous light reflections in the late afternoon.
The Palace of the Bahia
Example of a rich prince?s residence of the late 19th century, the Palace of the Bahia is composed of a succession of apartments and patios, especially conceived to welcome the 4 wives and 24 concubines of the Prince. The huge main marble paved courtyard served as a stage for many films. A thousand craftsmen coming especially from Fès took part during seven years in this artwork. They managed to equip the palace with elements and materials inspired by the Arab, Turkish and European decoration styles. You will be enchanted by this magic place where you will have no difficulty in reliving to Thousand and One Nights time.
Some scenes of "Lawrence of Arabia", "Ali Baba and the 40 robbers" or "the momie" were moreover recorded in this palace.
The Badi Palate
Imagine sumptuous festivals in a palace of the "Thousand and One Nights", the walls and ceilings of which are decorated with gold, marble and multicoloured mosaics. This is king Saâdian Ahmed el-Mansour's palace who had it built in 1578 for during than 25 years to celebrate his victory over the Portuguese at the time of the "battle of the three Kings". More than 300 rooms, a 130 meters long decorated court with a large pool and with prestigious pavilions were testifying the splendour of the place. Only some unfortunately today vestiges remain, the site having been stripped by the alaouite sultan Moulay Ismaël for the construction of his Palace in Meknès. But there you will meet guides who will be able to tell to you about the atmosphere which was prevailing in this formerly magic place.
Saadians Tombs
Royal necropoles from to the XVth century, Saadians Tombs are filling with wonder with its marble, stuc and zellige profusion. Mausolea are built around a garden, an absolute piece of haven, from where you will admire the richly decorated columns and the walls of the frontages. Their exceptional conservation is due thanks to the alaouite sultan Moulay Ismaël who, a century later, not willing to destroy them, hides them behind imposing rampart. Only in 1917 were they rediscoveried. In the first mausoleum the Saadians sultan and princes and their wives, concubines and children are resting. The decoration is sumptuous. In the second mausoleum is resting the Sultan Ahmed the golden's mother "who started the building of this splendid architectural ensemble".
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Beautiful
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