The Medina – a Testament to Marrakech’s Cultural Heritage

Marrakech’s ancient Medina is an amazing adventure offering a glimpse into Arab and Muslim culture.  A myriad of a lively, bustling jumble is juxtaposed by a haven of tranquility – on the one hand, the exhilarating and lively Jemaa el Fna square and on the other, to the south – a different  face to the Medina.  Here, you’ll savor the peace and serenity of another Medina, where the splendid monuments of Morocco’s ruling dynasties lay – mosques, tombs, traditional architecture and buildings of historic interest.

Djemaa el Fna

Koutoubia Mosque

Koutoubiya Mosque Minaret

The Almoravids built these impressive monuments here to represent their power and influence over the Muslim world.   One of the best examples of Muslim architecture is the Kooutoubiya Mosque, with its 77 m. tall minaret used by the muezzin to call to prayer.  The magnificent Ben Youssef Madrasa is the largest of its kind in Morocco.

Ben Youssef Madrasa

 

The Saadian Tombs, the mausoleum of 66 kings from the Saadian dynasty, built in the 16^th century by the Moroccan ruler Ahmed el Mansour, exhibit sumptuously decorated pavilions.  These include the magnificent room of the 12 columns which house the tombs of Ahmed el Mansour and his descendants.  The El Badi Palace, the splendid residence of Ahmed el Mansour, was stripped of its wealth by the spiteful Moulay Ismail in the 17^th century.  Yet it is a testament to Marrakech’s cultural heritage – its sheer size, position and the aura of surrounding tranquility create a mesmerizing effect.

Sadian Tombs

Bahia Palace

The Bahia Palace, built in the late 19^th century by a slave who became wealthy, offers a wonderful example of 19^th century Alhambrian architecture, as is the Dar el Said Palace, which houses a museum.  Located near the ben Youssef Mosque, the Chrob ou Chouf Fountain, one of Marrakech’s lesser known landmarks, is a not-to-be-missed work of art.  Commissioned by Morocco’s Ahmed el Mansour ruler in the late 16^th century, it was strategically built near the Sahara Valley as a source of fresh water for weary travelers and locals.  The fountain’s breathtaking dimensions make it the most vital in the Medina, recognized as a UNESCO historic landmark.

Ceiling in Bahia Palace

Many of Marrakech’s historic highlights are hidden deep in the Medina, among twisting alleys and the maze of narrow streets.  Discovering these, the Medina with its historic landmarks, structures and buildings reveals the city’s fascinating history and offers a breathtakig glimpse into this city’s mesmerizing cultural heritage.

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