Marrakech is the shining star of northern Africa and Morocco. The city was established in 1062 by Yusuf Ibn Tashfin, the leader of the Moroccan Almoravid Empire. Marrakech is considered to be one of the most influential leaders of the country, promoting Islam to the entire country. Marrakech became the capital of the Almoravid Empire.
A new religious movement, the Almohads, spread over Marrakech in 1147, which lead to Caliph Abd al-Mu'min’s refusal to enter the city, as he didn’t believe that the mosques of Marrakech were preaching the right religion. Several years later, Abd al-Mu'min ordered the construction of two new mosques, one of which is the Koutoubia Mosque, built in the Andalusian Islamic style. Almost a century later, in 1230, al-Ma’mun from the Marinid Dynasty took over Marrakech. After a short while, his brother Abu Yusug Yaqub forced the Almohads to retreat to the mountains, while the Marinid Sultanate ruled over Marrakech for the next two centuries. During their reign the capital was moved to Fes, which diminished Morocco’s importance in the years to come.
The Marinid Sultanate was replaced by the Wattasid Dynasty, who were ousted by the Saadi Dynasty, who were directly related to Mohammad and his daughter Fatima. This dynasty ruled over Egypt for some time.
Marrakech, as well as the whole of Morocco, suffered a lot of invasions of various conquerors, including the French, the Spanish and the Portuguese. Morocco has always been rich in natural resources, which made it wanted by many nations, who wanted to take the resources from the people of Morocco for themselves. Morocco became independent in 1956, but the control that European countries want to have over Morocco still poses a problem. In 1911, Rabat became the capital of Morocco, while Marrakech became its strategic, cultural and tourist center. The minerals coming from the Atlas Mountain are still exported to any European countries.
Marrakech is a wonderful city that is worth a visit. Its culture can be felt everywhere you go, and the very hospitable people of the town will make your stay all the more enjoyable.
Marrakech is the shining star of northern Africa and Morocco. The city was established in 1062 by Yusuf Ibn Tashfin, the leader of the Moroccan Almoravid Empire. Marrakech is considered to be one of the most influential leaders of the country, promoting Islam to the entire country. Marrakech became the capital of the Almoravid Empire. A new religious movement, the Almohads, spread over Marrakech in 1147, which lead to Caliph Abd al-Mu'min’s refusal to enter the city, as he didn’t believe that the mosques of Marrakech were preaching the right religion.
