1/2 day (200 DHS / pers) or 1 day tour (300 DHS / pers)
Tours by air-conditioned minibus for 6 ou 8 pers, or by taxi (Mercedès).
Tucked at the edge of the desert, at the foot of a fantastic rock and snow wall, the « Pearl of the south » appears as a mirage.
Its vedrant oasis contrasting starkly with the rugged, often barren landscape of the Haouz plains.
Thousand years old city and one wonders await for you in the ancient red city of Marrakesh.
Surrounded to the north by hills and to the south by the imposing High Atlas Mountain chain, the city is divided by two distinct areas : The old city, or Medina, surrounded by long walls, and the new city Gueliz, outside the wall.
The two areas are connected by numerous of gates.
This thick wall, made of brick and earth, stands over 5 meters tall . It was constructed by the Almoraides at the beginning of the 12th century and is flanked by towers builtduring later eras.
More than 19 kilometers in length and pierced by approximately 20 monumental gates,the ramparts still seem to protect the Medina from unlikely invaders.
The main monuments
The Koutoubia
This mosque dates back to the 12 century and its crownn jewel of Almohad art.
The 77 meter tall minaret, one of thr highest in the Muslim world, is decorated in tiles and topped by four copper balls.
It served as the model for the hassan Tour in Rabat and the Giralda in Seville
Jemaâ el fna Square
Is an immense esplanade further along to the left, in close proximity to the Koutoubia mosque, which is at once both a concourse and market.
Classsified as an Humanity world Oral heritage Site.
The Djemaâ el Fna square which was once a site of public executions, is the beating heart of medina.
This is a magic place, with colourful world and ancient traditions.
In this huge open air theater, fotunetellers, snake charmers, storytellers and monkey handlers perform.
Saadian Tombs, graves of the reigning families of the Sââdian dynasty ;
Mausoleum, adjoining the Mosque.
There, is buried the sultan Ahmed mansour el-dahbi »the Victorious, the Golden » who defeated the protuguese in the battle of the Three kings in 1758 and conquered Sudan
El-Badi- Palace, constructed at the same period by the same sultan Ahmed mansour.
Selected materials of the finest quality Italian marble, Irish granite, multicoloured onyx from the Indies and gold foil adorned its ceilings walls.
Demolished in 1683 by Sultan Moulay Ismail so that he could use use its precious materials to embellish his palace in Meknes.Pools and ruins remain to allow us to imagine its ancient splendor.
El Bahia Palace, probably the most beautiful palace. Constructed in the last quarter of 19th century as a residence for Ba ahmed, Chamberlain of the Alaouite Sultan Moulay el hassan, with their 4 wives and 24 concubines ! Construction of the Place lasted 10 years.Spread out over an area of 8 hectares, it houses almost 150 rooms. Patios, interiors courtyard planted with cypress and rare species vegetals, fountains and splendid pools form a veritable labyrinth.
Ben Youssef Medersa
From the Merenid era, 14th century, is one of the most remarkable monuments in marrakesh.
It used to be a university campus, rebuilt in both 16th and 19th century, one of the largest university koranic theology in the Maghreb .130 dormitory rooms, mosaics, sculpted beams, luminous courtyards and patio paved with marble.
The Almoravid Qoubba
The oldest monument in Marrakesh, 12th century.Work of the Sultan Ali Ben Youssef.
It is the only intact surviving monument of the red city’ s founding dynasty.
The Gardens
Majorelle Garden Museum
Planted with rare tropicalplants, was created in 1920 by the celebrated french painter Jacques Majorelle.
The garden surrounds a small art deco residence that served as his studio until his death in 1962.
Tropical composition contrast with the remarkable cobalt blue walls.
Purchased by Yves St Laurent in 1962, part of the house has been converted into a museum of islamic Art.
Menara Gardens
Digged in the 12th century by the Almohads, the menara is a vast garden populated by ancient olive trees that are irrigated by a 3 hectare central basin.
This is a romantic place, where it is said that the pavilion constructed in 1870 served as the spot for the sultan’s amourous rendez vous. At sunset , you can admire the reflection of the pavilion set ablaze under the Marrakchi sky in the waters of the basin….
Tour of the Palmeraie
You can end your city tour with a tour of the Palmeraie, in horse drawn carriage, admiring the magnificent sunset.
13 000 hectares , 100 000 plalm trees, ,planted by the Almoravid ruler Youssef Ben Tachfin, the founder of Marrakesh.
Souks
The maze of alleyways will revea to you the marvels of morrocan handycrafts.
Grouped by specific craft, you’ll find display of spices, slippers (babouches),multicoloured skeins of wool, pottery, brass and precious metals, brocades, silks and famous marrakshi leather goods. Mysterious apothcary shops with miraculous virtues that won’t fail to amaze you.
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