Some Monuments of Morocco
Ben Youssef Madrasa Marrakech Established in the fourteenth Century, the Ben Youssef Madrasa is one of the most important buildings of its type in Marakesh. A Madrasa is a Koran school which provides everything for its students, including dorm rooms and learning quarters. The building itself is a fascinating example of mixed architecture, consisting mainly of Moorish Spanish styles, leading many to believe the building may have been built with help from Spanish architects. The courtyard itself, though, is the real attraction. Mixing many forms and styles, the decorations are made from every material from stucco and marble to mosaic and cedar wood.
The mosque here was actually constructed in the 12th Century, two hundred years before the madrasa was officially founded. The mosque is considered so important to the city as many of the other parts of the city were built around it after the building itself was constructed. While not nearly as huge as the nearby Mosque of Koutoubia's 77 meter minaret, the minaret here is nonetheless fairly imposing, at 40 meters tall.
City Ramparts Marrakech Stretching on for more than ten kilometers, the first thing you'll see in Marakesh are the City Ramparts, a thick wall rising between eight and ten meters tall along the entire length. The walls are kept in very good condition. Walking along the wall, you'll find tn different gates allowing entrance to the city. These gates are said to be the inspiration and architectural basis for the gates of nearly every other Moroccan city. If you'd like to take a full tour of the City Ramparts without letting your feet kill you, a popular way to do this is to grab a horse carriage, which you'll find in abundance around the city gates, and take a ride from gate to gate. This tour will dazzle you with the many photographic opportunities, as it will allow you to get a complete view of the outer edge of the city.
Besides touring around the city, you can also enjoy yourself just sitting at one of the gates and observing the many travelers passing into and out of town, including vendors and other businessmen.
El-Bahia Palace Marrakech The El-Bahia Palace is something of a testament to the underdog, having been built by craftsmen who were brought in from the nearby city of Fez, under commission of the former slave Abu Ahmed, who rose to wealth and power towards the end of the 19th Century. The structure itself is noted by some as appearing less lavish than perhaps intended, as the planning process was somewhat hasty and much of the construction was rushed, however, the site is nonetheless a monument to its era in time, and tells a story all on its own.
Besides Abu Ahmed himself, the El-Bahia Palace has also served as a home to the French general Lyautey. As of the time of this writing, there is no admission fee, making it a perfect place to pay a visit to for the backpacker or budget traveler. The courtyard is marked by a fountain and shady corners, making the palace a nice place to escape the scorching summer heat of Morocco.
Majorelle Gardens Marrakech The Majorelle Gardens were originally laid out during the period before colonialism earned itself a disreputable image in Europe. In the early twentieth Century, the famous French artist Jacques Majorelle commissioned the construction of this site, which perhaps explains the luxurious nature of the place. Complete with everything from coconut palms and banana trees to pools and dark blue houses, the garden is a feast for the senses. When Jacques Majorelle was no longer able to care for the garden, it was taken over by the French couturier Yves Saint-Luarent, who added a small museum dedicated to rare North African artifacts and decorated with a lot of attention to lavish detail.
The garden itself, really, serves as a museum, dedicated to the local history and the artist himself, and is open to the public. There is no admission fee, so you could bring everyone here on a family vacation without spending a dime.
Menara Gardens Marrakech Marakesh and the surround area are full of exciting places, bustling with life and energy. As much fun as this is, it can be overwhelming, as well. Luckily, for every exciting hotspot in and around Marakesh, there is a relaxing getaway. Just a little ways outside of town, you'll find one of these getaways in the form of the Menara Gardens. First time visitors to Morocco might find the Menara Gardens looking oddly familiar, this has nothing to do with past lives, though, it is because the Menara Gardens are high in the running for most photographed place in all of Morocco. Experienced Menara Gardens visitors recommend showing up later in the day, as the Gardens are at perhaps their very most beautiful around sunset, just before the park closes.
Designed as a summer escape, the lush Menara Gardens are filled with orchards and olive groves, as well as high palm trees providing shade from the relentless Moroccan sun. Interestingly, the pavilion and the basin existed in earlier times, with the present structure having been built in the 1800's (by commission of Sultan Adur-Rahman).
Mosque of Koutoubia Marrakech Considered the most important landmark of Marakesh, the Mosque of Koutoubia dominates the skyline with its 77 meter tall minaret and the mosque itself being fairly large, as well. An interesting note on this site, is that it was actually first built in 1147, but had to be demolished, as it was not correctly aligned with Mecca. Soon after, the construction of the new building began, and was finished more than fifty years later in 1199, since becoming the defining piece of the Marakesh landscape.
The style of the building's architecture is Almohad, with a considerable amount of influence from the Andalucian style in details added since. Today, the building has a serious look to it, thanks to being strictly red stone on the outside, though many believe that the original building was covered in plaster. Reportedly, there have been plans to renovate the mosque in the style of the original building.
Town Square Jemaa I-Fna Marrakech The Town Square of Marrakesh at Jemaa I-Fna is known not just throughout the city of Marrakesh, but throughout all of Morocco. The Square is a beautiful sight to behold, certainly, with a wealth of beautiful buildings, showcasing various architectural styles and influences, encircling the site, but the Town Square really owes its popularity to the fact that, like New York City, the square never sleeps. Throughout the day, every kind of performer imaginable can be found in the square putting on dazzling shows well into the evening, when food stands begin to move into the area. The square is also surrounded by charming cafes, where you can simply sit and observe the daily activities taking place in the square.
The Town Square also offers easy access to the famous suuqs of Marrakesh; narrow alleyways covered by palm leaves which allow visitors a nice escape from the sometimes merciless sun.
Ben Youssef Madrasa Marrakech Established in the fourteenth Century, the Ben Youssef Madrasa is one of the most important buildings of its type in Marakesh. A Madrasa is a Koran school which provides everything for its students, including dorm rooms and learning quarters. The building itself is a fascinating example of mixed architecture, consisting mainly of Moorish Spanish styles, leading many to believe the building may have been built with help from Spanish architects. The courtyard itself, though, is the real attraction. Mixing many forms and styles, the decorations are made from every material from stucco and marble to mosaic and cedar wood.
The mosque here was actually constructed in the 12th Century, two hundred years before the madrasa was officially founded. The mosque is considered so important to the city as many of the other parts of the city were built around it after the building itself was constructed. While not nearly as huge as the nearby Mosque of Koutoubia's 77 meter minaret, the minaret here is nonetheless fairly imposing, at 40 meters tall.
City Ramparts Marrakech Stretching on for more than ten kilometers, the first thing you'll see in Marakesh are the City Ramparts, a thick wall rising between eight and ten meters tall along the entire length. The walls are kept in very good condition. Walking along the wall, you'll find tn different gates allowing entrance to the city. These gates are said to be the inspiration and architectural basis for the gates of nearly every other Moroccan city. If you'd like to take a full tour of the City Ramparts without letting your feet kill you, a popular way to do this is to grab a horse carriage, which you'll find in abundance around the city gates, and take a ride from gate to gate. This tour will dazzle you with the many photographic opportunities, as it will allow you to get a complete view of the outer edge of the city.
Besides touring around the city, you can also enjoy yourself just sitting at one of the gates and observing the many travelers passing into and out of town, including vendors and other businessmen.
El-Bahia Palace Marrakech The El-Bahia Palace is something of a testament to the underdog, having been built by craftsmen who were brought in from the nearby city of Fez, under commission of the former slave Abu Ahmed, who rose to wealth and power towards the end of the 19th Century. The structure itself is noted by some as appearing less lavish than perhaps intended, as the planning process was somewhat hasty and much of the construction was rushed, however, the site is nonetheless a monument to its era in time, and tells a story all on its own.
Besides Abu Ahmed himself, the El-Bahia Palace has also served as a home to the French general Lyautey. As of the time of this writing, there is no admission fee, making it a perfect place to pay a visit to for the backpacker or budget traveler. The courtyard is marked by a fountain and shady corners, making the palace a nice place to escape the scorching summer heat of Morocco.
Majorelle Gardens Marrakech The Majorelle Gardens were originally laid out during the period before colonialism earned itself a disreputable image in Europe. In the early twentieth Century, the famous French artist Jacques Majorelle commissioned the construction of this site, which perhaps explains the luxurious nature of the place. Complete with everything from coconut palms and banana trees to pools and dark blue houses, the garden is a feast for the senses. When Jacques Majorelle was no longer able to care for the garden, it was taken over by the French couturier Yves Saint-Luarent, who added a small museum dedicated to rare North African artifacts and decorated with a lot of attention to lavish detail.
The garden itself, really, serves as a museum, dedicated to the local history and the artist himself, and is open to the public. There is no admission fee, so you could bring everyone here on a family vacation without spending a dime.
Menara Gardens Marrakech Marakesh and the surround area are full of exciting places, bustling with life and energy. As much fun as this is, it can be overwhelming, as well. Luckily, for every exciting hotspot in and around Marakesh, there is a relaxing getaway. Just a little ways outside of town, you'll find one of these getaways in the form of the Menara Gardens. First time visitors to Morocco might find the Menara Gardens looking oddly familiar, this has nothing to do with past lives, though, it is because the Menara Gardens are high in the running for most photographed place in all of Morocco. Experienced Menara Gardens visitors recommend showing up later in the day, as the Gardens are at perhaps their very most beautiful around sunset, just before the park closes.
Designed as a summer escape, the lush Menara Gardens are filled with orchards and olive groves, as well as high palm trees providing shade from the relentless Moroccan sun. Interestingly, the pavilion and the basin existed in earlier times, with the present structure having been built in the 1800's (by commission of Sultan Adur-Rahman).
Mosque of Koutoubia Marrakech Considered the most important landmark of Marakesh, the Mosque of Koutoubia dominates the skyline with its 77 meter tall minaret and the mosque itself being fairly large, as well. An interesting note on this site, is that it was actually first built in 1147, but had to be demolished, as it was not correctly aligned with Mecca. Soon after, the construction of the new building began, and was finished more than fifty years later in 1199, since becoming the defining piece of the Marakesh landscape.
The style of the building's architecture is Almohad, with a considerable amount of influence from the Andalucian style in details added since. Today, the building has a serious look to it, thanks to being strictly red stone on the outside, though many believe that the original building was covered in plaster. Reportedly, there have been plans to renovate the mosque in the style of the original building.
Town Square Jemaa I-Fna Marrakech The Town Square of Marrakesh at Jemaa I-Fna is known not just throughout the city of Marrakesh, but throughout all of Morocco. The Square is a beautiful sight to behold, certainly, with a wealth of beautiful buildings, showcasing various architectural styles and influences, encircling the site, but the Town Square really owes its popularity to the fact that, like New York City, the square never sleeps. Throughout the day, every kind of performer imaginable can be found in the square putting on dazzling shows well into the evening, when food stands begin to move into the area. The square is also surrounded by charming cafes, where you can simply sit and observe the daily activities taking place in the square.
The Town Square also offers easy access to the famous suuqs of Marrakesh; narrow alleyways covered by palm leaves which allow visitors a nice escape from the sometimes merciless sun.
