Tips 1 - 10 of 46 Marrakesh Things to Do
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One of Marrakeshs' landmarks. The 221 ft high square minaret is the tallest in Marrakesh and can be seen for miles away (it was my last sight of Marrakesh as I boarded my plane home)
Koutoub or Kutub is Arabic for books, the mosque was built on the site of an old booksellers market or library (I've been told both versions)
Dating back to the 12th Century, the square design inspired the Girald in Seville and Hassan Tower in Rabat.
Inside the minaret are 6 rooms,with a ramp running on their outer from top to bottom, which the muezzin could ride to the top.
At the top of the tower can be seen a wooden scaffold..our guide told us this is where they hang their wives who can't cook! However, it's purpose is to assist the deaf...as they can't hear the call to prayer, a flag is hoisted at the appropriate times. ( I didn't get chance to spot the flag, but I'll look out next time!)
Four solid gold balls are at the very top of the minaret. Apparently the 4th ball was added by the wife of Ysaub El Mansour, when her jewellery was melted as a penance for failing to fast. (I've since read the spheres are copper not gold!
Each side of the minaret is decorated with different carved stonework panels and carvings. The green tiles are a typical feature of Islamic architecture.
The mosque isn't open to non-muslims. However, there is quite a bit to see from the outside.
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Address: Koutoubia Mosque, Marrakesh
Directions: Just off the start (end) of Ave Mohammed V, not far from Djemma El Fna.
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2 failed attempts to find the El Badi on my previous trip, I found it quite easily this time.
The Palace of "The Incomparable" or "The Marvel" its name isn't easily translated, was built on the orders of Ahmed El Mansour after defeat of the Portuguese in the Battle of 3 kings.
Built 1578 to 1603, and paid for by ransom money from the Portuguese, Guinean gold and Sugar (which was exchanged for its equivalant weight in marble !)
It's design was influenced by the Alhambra Palace in Granada.
Italian marble, Rare woods from India, and Sudanese gold were used .Craftsmen from around the world were employed in construction and decoration. Its walls being covered with zillij tiles and carved stucco panels.
360 rooms, courtyards, pools, orange groves and an underground prison were enclosed in the brick walls. The most impressive room being the Kabba el Khamsinyya- named due to its 50 columns- it was probably the Reception Hall for state visits.
Sadly El Mansour died before completion of his dream.
Sultan Moulay Ismail decided to a bit of re-cycling, and over 10 years in the 17th C, removed the valuable materials and craftwork for his palace in Meknes! Looks like he got a bit carried away, as today there is just the shell of the Palace, whose walls provide nesting space for the many storks.
It is worth visiting to get an idea of the size, and you can get some idea of the layout from the foundations (and info plaques at strategic points) There are good views from the walls over the City into the Mellah, and you can clamber around the underground cells (bring a torch).
Late afternoon, the storks (cignones) make quite an impressive sight soaring into the sky, before swooping earthwards.
The treasure in the Palace now is the restored Koutoubia Minbar, considered to be one of the finest examples of wood working created by man in the world!
May or June, the Palace is the main venue of the annual Folklore Festival.
10dh admission to Palace + 10dh to see minbar
Open 08.30 - 11.45, 14.45 - 17.45
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Directions: Between Kasbah and Mellah, near Saadian tombs. From Koutoubia Mosque, take Ave Haumann El Fetouaki to Place des Ferblantiers. Look for a large gate near the start of the ramparts, enter and turn R.
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The minbar is in a restored pavillion in the Palace El Badi, with exhibits of the minbar and its restoration.
A minbar or Mimbar is the platform/pulpit where the Imam recites the Koran.
Often they're small towers with a pointed roof and stairs. They are always placed to the right of the mihrab - a niche in the wall indicating the direction of Mecca, the direction for worshippers to face during prayer.
Minbars are only used on Fridays, and otherwise remain locked away.
Originally constructed in Cordoba, Spain in 1139, It was transferred in separate pieces to Marrakech by camel, where it was reconstructed.
It consists of over a 1,000 single carvings of incredible complexity and pattern, not one is identical!
Scripts from the Koran and geometric/ mathmatical patterns are contained in the work. It took 8 years to complete and is thought to be one of the finest examples of woodwork created by humans.
Not only was it an amazing piece of craftsmanship, the assembled worshippers were stunned to see the minbar appear as if by magic during their Friday prayers - a series of pulleys and rails enabled this manouevre!
The minbar was in continual use in 3 different mosques in Marrakech until 1962, when it was removed here for restoration.
Restored by experts from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, in joint partnership with the Ministery of Cultural Affairs of Morocco.
A documentary of the restoration won the gold trophy in 1998 in an arts film festival in S. France.
For an account of the conservation work carried out and the history of the minbar this web page below is useful (I think this paper might have been one of the displays in the exhibition)- there are drawings and photos too
http://aic.stanford.edu/sg/wag/1998/WAG_98_minor.pdf.
The minbar is behind a corded rail, which prevents viewing of most of the structure, and photography is forbidden - A security guard ensures this!
Please see my previous El Badia Palace tip for more details of directions, opening times etc.
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Address: Palais El Badi, Marrakech
Directions: See My Palace El Badi tip for details
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The Saadian tombs are considered to be one of the most exquisite mausoleums in North Africa, and are one of Marrakechs' most visited sites.
Open 08.30 - 11.45 and 14.30 - 17.45 daily.
Entrance 10dh.(2006)
Local 'official' guides are to be found near the ticket office, (A tip will be expected) You'll probably encounter 'faux guides' outside, willing to show you around - again a tip will be expected, even if they don't explain much of use.
Through a narrow passageway, you enter a garden, with rose trees and shrubs, enclosed by red walls. Amongst the grass you can see small tombs.
The Arabic Saadian Dynasty ruled for a relatively short period during the 16th - 17th Century, their popularity rose after removing the Portuguese from their occupation of the Moroccan coastline, and later forming alliances with Spain.
The necropolis was commenced in 1591, (although the first Saadian prince was buried here in 1577) by Sultan Ahmed al-Mansour, to provide a resting place for his family, successors, and respected staff members.
After the collapse of the Saadian Dynasty, during Moulay Ismails 'reign of terror', buildings such as the Palais el Badi were ransacked but the Tombs escaped desecration, possibly due to his superstition that the dead would come back to haunt him!
Instead, the necropolis was sealed, with only a small area being left open. (Sultan Moulay Yazid 'The Crazy' was buried here in 1792.)
During French Protectorate of Marrakesh in the early 20th C. An ariel survey by General Hubert Lyautey, revealed the site of the tombs. An avid enthusiast of Moroccan history, he set about constructing a passageway into the tombs (The original entrance was through the Kasbah mosque, and therefore forbidden to non-muslims) and restoration of the tombs.
The Saadian tombs were opened to the public in 1917.
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Address: Off Rue de la kasbah
Directions: North West Kasbah, opposite the Kasbah Mosque. Look for the souvenir shop in the corner, and the sign pointing to Tombeaux des Saadians.
Easiest point of entry is probably through Bab Agnanaou, then turn left.
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Please see my tip above for history of Saadian Tombs, etc.
The mausoleum is entered through a narrow passage way, which opens into a gardened area, surrounded by walls.
The mausoleum consists of the garden (where over 100 tombs covered in mosaics lay amongst grassed areas) and three halls.
The central structure, is The Hall of the Twelve columns, and is the most impressive. Carved cedar wood doors open into the vast space, where Columns of Italian Carrere marble rise to a vaulted roof.
Here, are the remains of Ahmed al-Mansour (The former Sultan of the Saadian Dynasty and planner of this mausoleum) his son and grandson.
A Marcharabia (carved wooden panel that traditionally separates the sexes) may also be seen.
In the tombed area and along the outer walls are well preserved examples of brightly coloured zellij work (intricate mosaic designs, typical of Islamic and Andalucian architecture) with Koranic calligraphyand Stucco stalectite work .
It is thought that the artwork was influenced by that of the Alhambra Palace in Granada. (This could probably explain why I was so underwhelmed when I visited The Alhambra a few months after my visit to Marrakesh - I'd already been stunned by the architecture and artwork here in Marrakesh!)
Slightly apart from the other two, is the tomb of the Sultans mother, Lalle Massaoude. Built by her son, this was the site where the decapitated body of the founder of the Saadian Dynasty , Alol esh Sheikh was buried.
The 100 tombs in the garden contain remains of other members of the royal family- including many children, and members of the Royal household's staff.
The visit around the tombs doesn't take too long, (unless there's a large tour group - just wander around the gardens, and they'll soon be gone onto their next site)
My second visit here there was a TV crew from NBC recording a series about Islamic countries and peoples opinions, so we had to wait while they filmed.c*
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Address: Rue de la Kasbah, Marrakesh
Directions: In the Kasbah area. Approach through Bab Agnoua, turn left, and look for the souvenir shop, near the wall.
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My taxi stopped outside the gates to this park, There wasn't much to see from the roadside, a bit of a wilderness.
Admission free. A long wide boulevard edged with olive groves leads to the pool and pavillion, which are the centrepieces of the gardens. Further on were palm trees and citrus trees.
The large still pool reflects the pavillion, which was built around 1866 allegedly for the Sultan to woo his mistress! Apparently there was a similar pavillion at the opposite end of the pool.
The park was once for the private use of the Sultans and his A list friends, and although the park is now for public use, you can't enter the pavillion.
I visited on a Sunday, it was quite popular with families taking a stroll, and groups of teenage girls walking along arm in arm singing, or taking photos of each other.
In all the tourist guide posters the snow covered High Atlas Mountains are clearly visible as a backdrop to the pavillion, but during my stay a haze prevented a clear view.
A pleasant cafe is situated opposite the pavillion, and there were some shops but they were closed.
The gardens stage a music and light show most evenings, though I thought it was a bit too cold to brave it. (see my nightlife tips for more info)
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Address: Menara Gardens
Directions: 2 km from Koutoubia Mosque along Avenue de la Menara. Taxi or caleche are other options
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Jacques Majorelle (1886-1962) moved to Marrakesh from France to work on his paintings. He also set about turning his land into these landscaped gardens, opening to the public in 1947. The vivid blue colour that covers the buildings and garden accessories was first used in the early 1930's and is known as Bleu Majorelle. (I think this is my favourite colour)
Following the death of Majorelle, the property was famously bought by Yves St Laurent.
Majorelles former painting studio now houses the Museum of Islamic Art (I didn't have time to view this, but intended to return later, afraid I didn't though!)
The gardens provide a peaceful refuge from the bustle of Marrakesh. Cactii, bamboo and colourful flowers line the pathways that wind around the gardens, amongst the plants are colourful pots and decorative teracotta jars.Ornate Pavillions add to the attractiveness of the gardens, and provide cooling shelter. Fountains and fish ponds provide interest, while the trickling waters provide relaxing sounds.
There's a gift shop that sells quality items of pottery, guide books, perfumes exclusive to the Majorelle gardens and clothing. Expensive, but different!
Open 0800-1200, 1300 -1700 Winter
0800 - 1200, 1400 - 1900 Summer
No picnics!
- I wish they'd ban mobile phones from here too, as my peaceful wanderings were interrupted by one womans incessant loud ring tone, then a long noisy conversation.
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Phone: 044 301852 fax 044301894
Address: Majorelle Gardens, Marrakesh
Directions: Outside the ramparts, in the north of the city.
Off Ave Yacoub el - Mansour.
I hired a caleche to take me here and back
Website: jardin-majorelle.com
Other Contact: jardin.majorelle@iam.net.ma
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Originally the town house of Sidi Said, this building now contains the Museum of Moroccan Arts.
Quite an interesting Museum, not just for its exhibits, but also for the architecture and decoration of the house. The highly decorative cedar wood ceiling is stunning-my photo below doesn't do it justice I'm afraid
The museum is on 3 stories and in typical Islamic style, rooms open onto an inner courtyard and garden, through ornate doors that are good examples of High and Anti Atlas craftsmanship.
The gardens are quite pleasant too, with pathways set out in symetrical patterns leading to a covered fountain. -see my photos below.
Open 0900 -11.45 14.30 -17.45 Mon, Wed, Thur and W/ends.
0900 -11.30 15.00 -17.45 Fri
20dh entrance fee.
Most explanations are in Arabic and French, with a few in English
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Address: Dar Si Said, off Rue Zitoun el - Jedid, Marrakesh
Directions: Near Bahia Palace, follow the signs. (someone will soon offer to point you in the right direction!)
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An example of one of the decorative windows in this house / museum.
A good example of Islamic art in the stucco surroundings. As you can see, the design is geometric with the the pattern being repeated in symetrical style.
Below is a picture of the decorative doorway and courtyard. I'm not sure if the man in the doorway is the owner of the museum or not.
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Address: Tiskiwin Museum, Marrakesh, Morocco
Directions: Please see above tip
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 Comments for suvanki about Marrakesh | | | | |
larken81 Mon Feb 9, 2009 01:31 UTC
Your review is great. Can you tell me about the dress for this show since I was hoping to travel lite. What are the temps like at this time of year? | lynnehamman Mon Jan 26, 2009 23:17 UTC
Wow! Great page on Marrakesh.Morocco is definately on my list of places to see. Love the Moorish architure. Thank sfor sharing. | kjs100 Fri Jan 16, 2009 22:00 UTC
If only I'd read your page two days ago! Great page.. very helpful and I can almost relate to most of your warnings.. Still.. I'm pleased I experienced them for myself :o) | sihi Thu Jan 8, 2009 07:48 UTC
Great page and tips! very interesting:) |
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