Marrakesh is rich in culture and so are the sights you can see in this city. Here you will get acquainted with the history of the city, rich architecture and you will be delighted by the numerous gardens that adorn Morocco. On this page is a list of sights you should see when you come to Marrakesh.
Jemaa el-Fnaa is the main square of Marrakech and the most important part of the city medina. Locals and tourists gather here to have a drink, eat and enjoy numerous musical spectacles that often take place here. Hoopla and halqa (street theater) have been here since the founding of the city, more precisely since the 11th century. During the day, the square is full of surprising scenes, from monkey trainers who trained monkeys to climb on tourists, to "snake tamers" who play their flute. In Jemaa el-Fnaa, you will also find numerous stalls selling squeezed fruit juices, spices, teas and leather goods, so you can buy unique handbags here that you will gladly take home as the ultimate fashion trend.
The Koutoubia Mosque is the most important mosque in Marrakech and was one of the largest places of worship of followers of Islam when it was built in the 12th century. When the Almoravid dynasty ruled Marrakech, a mosque was built on the same site as the Kutubia Mosque. When the Almohadi dynasty took over the city, they destroyed most of the city along with the mosque. No Almohad would ever think of praying in a building built by his enemy. A new mosque was built on the same site, and parts of today's mosque date back to the time of Sultan Abd el-Moumen. The problem with the orientation of the mosque that was not facing Mecca resulted in the construction of another mosque to correct this mistake - so Koutoubia is actually a double mosque.
Bahia Palace is one of the most impressive buildings in Marrakech. It was built at the end of the 19th century and is considered a masterpiece of traditional Moroccan architecture. By order of Grand Vizier Ba Ahmed Ben Mousse, construction began and took more than ten years to complete. The palace was designed in two phases. At the end of the 19th century, Abu Ahmed, a slave who ascended to power and became vizier, built the northern part of this huge palace of 8.000 m2 southeast of the medina of Marrakesh. The builders who came from the whole of the land were in charge of this expansion.
Ben Youssef Madrasa is the largest madrasa in Morocco and one of the largest and most important in North Africa. It was founded in the 14th century, although today it is no longer an Islamic college, the madrasa is one of the most beautiful buildings in the country. The college was founded in the 14th century during the reign of Sultan Abu al-Hassan. The madrasa is named after the Ben Youssef Mosque. Morocco’s largest madrasa once had more than 900 students within its excellent walls. Otherwise, for those who do not know, the madrasa is a school of theology.
Majorelle Gardens were created in the 1920s by French painter Jacques Majorelle and they contain marble pools, raised paths, banana trees, bamboos, coconut palms and bougainvillea. Precisely because the garden was designed by a painter, the garden is colored just like a painting canvas. Many buildings are painted in dark blue ('Majorelle Blue') which affects the plants very well. Water is an important feature of the garden - there are canals and fountains filled with lilies. Majorelle was a passionate collector of plants.
