| Page Views: 3,674 Last Visit to Marrakesh: October, 2006 | Marrakech - the Pink City by iwys - last update: May 22, 2007 |
Marrakech is a big, exotic city. There is the old city, centred on el Djemaa el Fna, and surrounded by walls, and the new city, centred on Gueliz, where the train and bus stations and most of the hotels are. You can stay in the old city in a riad, but they tend to be over-priced for what they offer. If you stay in a hotel in Gueliz, however, you will have to travel back and forth by taxi to the Medina, where most of the city's attractions are. And the taxi drivers in Marrakech can really try your patience. They all have meters, but will almost never agree to switch them on for a foreigner. When I pointed to the meter, one of them said, "That's for local people." They will ask you for two or three times the normal fare instead. |
|  | If you are prepared for the fact that Marrakechis have hundreds of years' experience of relieving foreign visitors of their money and know 101 different ways of doing it, you can begin to relax and enjoy the wonderful sights and sounds of "The Pink City". |
Marrakech was founded in 1062 by Yousesef ben Tachfine, the first leader of the Almoravid dynasty, who conquered southern Spain. His son, Ali ben Youssef brought in architects and craftsmen from Cordoba to build a great capital city. In 1126 the walls around the city were built and then, between 1150 and 1199, the Koutoubia. In the 16th century the Saadians made it their capital and the Saadian Tombs remain from this period. | | |
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 Comments for iwys about Marrakesh | | | | |
Anita_Porec Wed Mar 18, 2009 16:25 UTC
Hi there! How is it to drive in Marrakesh?? | Arkeolog Mon Feb 23, 2009 16:15 UTC
I got this city into my "must see places list" after your VT page. Best wishes from Istanbul.Bora | junecorlett Mon Feb 23, 2009 14:26 UTC
By the time I get to Marrakesh I will be too old....so many places I want to go! | sourbugger Tue Jan 20, 2009 19:18 UTC
some excellent advice here on warnings and dangers - i could not agree more |
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