Discovering the history of Marrakech Hotel Marrakech Restaurant Marrakech Riad Marrakech

Discovering the history of Marrakech

27 March 2011

History. It may've been a boring subject in school, but given that it's all around us here in Marrakech, how can our interest not be piqued?

It's used to explain cultural roots, people and behaviours. Historians, sociologiest and anthropologists are all fascinated by the subject. Books, seminars and historical films are delicious companions for the sights of the past, but they may prove inadequate. Tours of the monuments and ancient houses can complete the quest.

Historically, Marrakech has been home to several dynasties, all leaving their footprints in the architecture and gardens throughout the city.

Chronologically, the Almoravid dynasty was the first in Marrakech, with Youssef Ben Tachfine the founder and first ruler of the city. This dynasty designed the walls surrounding the city, giving the city legal status.

Followed by the Almohade dynasty (1130), whose indelible trace is the Koutoubia Mosque, modified in 1162 under the Emir Almohade Abu Yusuf Yaqub al-Mansur, and inspired by the Kairaouan Mosque.

The Merinids, in turn, seized the city in 1258 have left their mark in the medina. Through the construction of neighbourhoods and houses in hypostyle Arab architecture and maps.

In comparison to their predecessors, the Saadian (1554) dynasty left several monuments behind. The Saadian tombs in the heart of the medina, pays tribute to the men of the time.

The Badii Palace, is a perfect display of a rich past filled with a trouble past between the sultans.

At the time, Menara Gardens served as a military camp where soldiers trained to swim in the basin and racing, shooting and archery were practiced in the olive grove. Today it's a pleasant park filled with families enjoying a picnic, friends gathering and lovers meeting.

However, a spirit of tolerance has marked Morocco through the old dynasties. Mellah, the home of the Moroccan Jews, far from being a ghetto, was built in 1558 under the reign of Moulay Abdellah. Today the Mellah houses several souks selling a range of goods. And it's a great place for walking. The former synagogue here houses elderly Jews without families to care for them.

The Medersa Ben Youssef (1564) is a great place to discover the learning conditions at the time. Student accommodations, classrooms and even punishment chambers are open to visitors.

And finally, the Alaouite dynasty from Fez, which was the capital at the time, was able to bring together the various cultures of Morocco. Berbers and Arabs have cohabitat.

The perfect illustration of this integration was the multiplicity of the sultan's wives from different ethnic backgrounds. In the Palais Dar Mnebhi (also named Museum of Marrakech) or Palais Bahia, polygamy at least allowed a serene cohabitation, despite the diversities. These differences can be observed in the Palace through the different zellig and decorative features in each of the wives' rooms.

It's no surprise that in such an imperial city there's a rich fragrance of historical values and past lives.

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