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Modern Marrakech Morocco: A Hot City That Never Cools
High Atlas Mountains in Morocco</a> sits Marrakech. Once a remote oasis on the Haouz Plain, it was rife with bandits. Now, however, it is an important city reigning over Southern Morocco.
“Marrakech,” insofar as the word’s history, is debatable. One account says it came from the Berber word for “land of beauty.” It’s quite easy to believe this: The air is fresh and sharp, winters warm and sunny. The sweltering summer days with cooler nights makes for many night owls. It’s fame lies in the spectacular setting, it’s exotic feel, mountain backdrop, and people. Marrakech is a must-stop on your next <a href=“http://www.journeybeyondtravel.com”>Morocco holiday</a>.
Marrakech has a rich history. Consisting of the modern Gueliz, built during the French occupation, and the ancient medina, Marrakech beginnings go back to the mid-11th century.
Starting life under the Almoravids sultans, Marrakech was a bastion of Islam. It remains, today, a genuine Islamic city. Many lavish buildings were erected during the last century, including Koutouba Mosque and minaret. It and the medina are on UNESCO’s World Heritage list.
One of Marrakech’s claims to fame is that it never sleeps, probably due to the intense summer heat. Moreover, every <a href=“http://www.journeybeyondtravel.com/travel/morocco-tours/southern-morocco.html”> Marrakech holiday</a> has the largest and best-known traditional market square in Morocco, Djemaa el-Fna.
Bustling with storytellers, snake charmers, henna artist, dentist, apothecaries, dancers and musicians during the night, the square becomes a huge open-air restaurant and outdoor extravaganza. It was named UNESCO’S first World Heritage site for Oral Tradition in 2006.
Behind the market are numerous souks, small business squares inside the numerous alleys. Each souk has it own special craft. You can watch the various craftsmen create their art. One of the best times to visit is in the early morning or late afternoon when the merchandise is auctioned off to the public.
In addition to the archaic medina, Marrakech has more left to explore. The Kasbah or royal quarter with the Palais el-Badi ruins are a good place for starters.
Built in the late 1500s to early 1600s, it was reputed to be one of the world’s most beautiful palaces. Today, little of the original palace remains, falling victim to the plundering of Alaouite Sultan Moulay Ismail. Today, towering walls provide storks a good place to call home and reflect the grandeur this palace once had. After entering the palace, you will find a central court with a pool. Surrounding, sunken orange groves and gardens emit odors of candied blossoms.
The royal palace is not open to visitors. The mellah or Jewish quarter is home to Marrakech’s remaining Jews. Because the Saadian Sultan Abdullah el-Ghalib appreciated the work done by the Jewish people, he had their quarter of the city built beside the palace. The mellah has a different look about it than the rest of the city. An eerie site to see is the miaara or cemetery with its brilliant white tombs stretching into the distance.
Setting along side the Kasbah Mosque, this burial site of foregone princes was originally for the descendants of the Prophet Mohammed. Ornate tombs were later built for the Saadian princes, the most famous being Ahmed al-Mansour. Unlike the fate of the Palais el-Badi, Sultan Moulay Ismail sealed the entrance. The tombs were not rediscovered until the 20th century. As a result, some of the best examples of the richness and luxury of the artistry of an erstwhile era have survived.
Of course, you’ll also want to see the Koutoubia Mosque and minaret, one of the most famous monument in Islam. Erected in the late 10th century, it is the oldest and best preserved of the minarets built by the Almohads. The name is from the Arabic word for booksellers. Once the area around the mosque was a huge book market. The minaret dominates the southwestern sky today. Standing 70 meters high, it can be seen for miles in every direction. While the mosque is not open to visitors, the area surrounding it is. You can wander freely through the gardens and piazza.
Another mosque of some importance is the Ali ben Youssef Mosque and medersa. Originally built in the 12th century, it was remodeled in the 19th century. While non-Muslims are not allowed in the mosque, you can visit the medersa (theological college) that adjoins it. A restoration project has made this medersa one of the most beautiful and meditative places in Morocco.
With so much to see and do in Marrakech, be sure to have your Morocco tour operator get you an inside look into the antiquated past that makes Morocco a world heritage not to be missed.
