The splendid mausoleums, where members of the Saadian dynasty rest in peace, were built in the late 16C by Ahmed “the Golden”. A century later Moulay Ismail sealed them up behind a high wall that only a privileged few were allowed to enter as they pa..

Already described in 1381 as a “work of perfection”, the minbar (pulpit) in Koutoubia Mosque was made by local artisans in Cordoba beginning in 1137 and transported piece by piece to Marrakech. This superb work is composed of a thousand pieces of c..

The Koutoubia is a masterpiece of Almohad art whose emblematic minaret is topped by a superb 70m-high square tower, an exemplary illustration of Hispano-Moorish art. The first sanctuary was built under the reign of Abd el-Moumen, but was destroyed du..

A room, a bedroom, a staircase, a courtyard, a patio, an antechamber followed by another patio... While the rooms are not organised according to any specific plan, they all share a common point: their superb decoration featuring zellige tiles, sculpt..

Dar Si Said was the brother of vizier Ba Ahmed and this was his (19C) residence. It contains many treasures including a white marble vat dating from 1002-1007, and the wooden doors visible in the corridor. The pieces that make up this display of Moro..

Here you can see Moroccan craftsmanship in all its diversity, organised by profession. Stroll through the crowds under a roof of reeds, passing craftsmen and tradesmen hawking leather goods, fabrics, kettles and pottery. The Dyers’ Souk, perhaps the ..

It was the Almoravid sultan Ali ben Youssef who gave Marrakech its famous surrounding walls in 1132. Enlarged during the reign of the Almohads, then by the Saadians, these 19 km of fortifications enveloping the city are flanked by 202 square towers a..

Jemaa el Fna Square, in the heart of the medina, waits for the sun to go down before offering up its street shows, multiple stalls, crowds, noises and cries, music and improvised greasy spoons. The highlight of the evening is the street art of “halka..

Jacques Majorelle, an artist from Nancy(1888-1962), developed a passion for Morocco where he came to live in the 1920s. His garden was a hymn to colour and luxuriance, planted with species from all over the world and highlighted by the shade of blue ..

The Tanners’ Quarter near Oued Issil stretches along the inside of the ramparts. If you don’t mind the mud and smell (delicate types may want to bring along some fresh mint leaves!), feel free to go down for a close-up view of the various tanning pro..

Created in the 12C by Abd el-Moumen, then enlarged by the Saadians, Aguedal orchard is a true haven of peace, mainly planted with olive trees, reserved for the sultans and their courts. Magnificent parties were held under the shade of its trees and b..