Have you planned a trip to Marrakech or are you visiting the city right now and wondering what the must-see attractions are? Here is our list of places worth seeing in the red city.
The city of Marrakech, also known as the red city due to the characteristic color of its buildings, is the city in Morocco that receives the most visitors. It is famous for its markets, its architecture, its history, its traditions and the atmosphere that exists there. These are the places you shouldn’t miss.
A little bit of history
Throughout history, different peoples and dynasties have passed through the city since its foundation. Here is a small summary of the most important things:
- Around 1070, the Almoravids founded the city, turning it into their economic-political and cultural center. The walls of this city are from this period.
- In 1147, the Almohad Berbers conquered the city. They destroyed most of the medina to rebuild it. From the Almohad era are the Koutoubia mosque, the El Badi palace, the expansion of the wall and the fortification of the kasbah, among others.
- In 1269 the Almohads lost power over the city; that was the beginning centuries of decline.
- In 1510 the Saadians occupied the city, which recovered its former splendor. The Saadian tombs are from this period.
Koutoubia Mosque
This mosque, the largest in the city, presents the typical Almohad architecture and decoration. The building that can currently be seen is the second mosque built in this place, completed in the year 1196. Next to it, there are the vestiges of a first mosque built in 1148, similar to the current one, which was functional at some point, but was demolished.
The minaret, which has a height of 77 meters, was probably a source of inspiration for the construction of other buildings such as the Hassan Tower in Rabat, or the Giralda in Seville, which were built shortly after.
Jemaa El Fna Square
This square, located near the Koutoubia, is possibly the most famous place in Marrakech, attracting over a million visitors each year. During the day, the square is home to street vendors, street performers, juice stands and snake charmers. When the evening and night come, street restaurants fill it with exotic smells. There are also numerous restaurants with terraces around the entire square.
In addition to being a point of interest in its own right, Jemaa el Fna Square also serves as an access point to explore the medina of Marrakech.
Marrakech Medina
The medina of Marrakech, founded by the Almoravids around the year 1070, constitutes the historic center of the city. It is made up of a network of alleys that house souks, riads, traditional houses, restaurants and museums. Several of the points of interest in this article are located in the medina.
The Secret Garden
The Secret Garden has its origins in the 16th century, when the area where it is located was urbanized and important people of the time created their palaces in order to live in. One of them was the palace located in this place. However, in the 17th century, that palace was completely destroyed, and it was not until the 19th century that the land was purchased and a new palace with gardens was built on it. Over time, this palace was abandoned again, until 2008, when its restauration begun.
Today, you can see the architecture of the ancient palace, as well as an exotic garden and an Islamic garden. There is also a restaurant, a cafeteria and some other shops. The gardens also have a 17m tower that offers interesting views of the medina.
You can find information about the location, hours and prices of the Secret Garden here.
Medersa Ben Youssef
Not far from the Secret Garden, you will find the Ben Youssef Medersa. The medersas are Koranic schools; in this case, this medersa serves the students of the Ben Youssef mosque, which is located nearby.
The Ben Youssef Medersa was founded in the 14th century, although it was rebuilt by the Saadians in the 16th century. With 130 rooms, which accommodated up to 900 students, it is the largest and most important in Morocco.
Saadian Tombs
The Saadian tombs are a royal necropolis dating from the time of the Saadian dynasty, although they were possibly built on top of a previous Almohad necropolis.
The complex consists of two main buildings and a large garden. Sultan Ahmed El-Mansur and his family rest in the main mausoleum; the best-known tomb is the tomb with twelve columns, where his children are buried. In the garden you can discover more than 100 tombs of warriors or servants of the Saadian dynasty, decorated with colorful zeliges.
El Badi Palace
El Badi Palace is a palace built by the end of the 16th century by Sultan Ahmed El-Mansour (the sultan buried in the Saadian tomb complex), in order to commemorate the defeat of the Portuguese at Oued El-Makhazin.
It is said that, by the time of its construction, this palace housed more than 300 rooms decorated with gold, turquoise and crystal, although only its ruins survived to this day. When Moulay Ismail, the successor of Ahmed El-Mansour, moved from Marrakech to Meknès in the 17th century, the palace was looted, starting its decline.
One of the pieces that can be seen here is the pulpit (minbar) of the Koutoubia, a work of art of carpentry and marquetry in wood and ivory created in the 12th century that was used in the mosque until 1962.
The name “El Badi”, which translates as “The Incomparable One”, is one of the 99 names that refer to God.
Bahia Palace
The Bahia Palace is another of the renowned monuments of Marrakech. It is a complex of gardens, patios and buildings that were intended to be the most luxurious of their time. In the 20th century, after independence from France in 1956, it was used as a royal residence, until King Hassan II transferred it to the Ministry of Culture, to be used as a museum.
Although its interior is empty, the architecture and ceilings are still worth a visit.
Majorelle Garden
Outside the medina, another point of interest in Marrakech is the Majorelle Garden. It is a botanical garden that has about 300 different species spread over an area of approximately one hectare. On the land there is also an art deco style villa, which houses a museum.
The garden is named after its founder, who was the painter Jacques Majorelle. Jacques Majorelle ordered the construction of an art deco style villa in 1929, where he would have his workshop (on the ground floor) and his home (on the first floor). Around the villa, he created the botanical garden, where he planted different exotic species brought from his travels around the world, adding also some decorative elements. When, in 1937, he created the color Majorelle (a very intense shade of blue), he painted the walls of the villa and some of the garden elements in this color, which makes the place very distinctive.
After the death of Jacques Majorelle, the garden fell into neglect, until Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé discovered it, bought it and restored it. They also created the Berber museum, as we see it today. After Yves Saint Laurent’s death in 2008, a monument in memory of the designer was added to the garden, and his ashes were scattered in the property’s rose bush.
On the official website of the Majorelle Garden you will find more information about this place.
