Sightseeing

Sightseeing Overview

Marrakech is one of Morocco's four Imperial Cities, along with Méknes, Fes and Rabat. It was founded around 1062 by the Berber Almoravids and soon became the capital of an Islamic empire that reached from central Spain to West Africa.

The rule of Yousef Ben Tachfine blessed Marrakech with its legendary walls, several mosques, fine gardens and palaces. The Almoravid conquest of southern Spain led to an exchange of culture investing this remote desert enclave with the cosmopolitan atmosphere of Andalucia, something that it has retained a feel for to this day. 

The architectural influence of the Almohads was strong. Many of the city's best-known landmarks, such as the mosques Koutoubia and El Mansour, date from their conquest, as do the vast mud walls that encase the medina.

Morocco was colonised by the French in the early 20th century. French influence lingers on in the wide boulevards of Guéliz and its few remaining art deco villas, most notably landscape painter Jacques Majorelle's stylish cobalt blue retreat in the Jardin Majorelle. But the most significant legacy of this colonial rule is the French language, which is still spoken by all educated Moroccans.

After WWII, a vast array of pleasure-seekers, ranging from the glamorous to the distinctly insalubrious, left their mark on Marrakech. Winston Churchill, Yves Saint Laurent and the Rolling Stones rubbed shoulders with American beat writers, hippies and a new breed of curious visitors anxious to see what all the fuss was about.

Any visit to Marrakech will centre on the medina and the buzzing square of Jemaa el Fna. The soul of the city is the nearby Koutoubia Mosque, the main place of worship in Marrakech. Like all Marrakech mosques and zaouias (saint's shrines), entry is forbidden to non-Muslims. However, the Koutoubia's architecture can be appreciated from the grounds, which are open to everyone. 

The labyrinth souks north of the Jemaa el Fna are a wake-up call to the senses and require sharp navigational skills - Marrakech is not a city that lends itself to hurried travelling. However, the main area, packed with artisans and shops, is surprisingly compact, and part of the fun is to wander, never knowing what surprises you might stumble upon.

Marrakech's five medina-based museums are in converted palaces and historic mansions, each with its own strengths and architectural style and well worth a slow meander around.

When Marrakech becomes too intense, havens of tranquillity can be found in the many lush public and private gardens both in and outside the city. The Jardin Majorelle in Guéliz is a welcome escape, and the Palmeraie (palm grove) northeast of the medina offers upscale relaxation at spas, clubs and villa resorts.

Tourist Information

Office National Marocain du Tourisme (ONMT)
Place Abdel Moumen Ben Ali, Avenue Mohammed V, Guéliz
Tel: (0524) 436 179.
Website: www.visitmorocco.com
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1200 and 1500-1830.

Passes

There are no dedicated tourist passes in Marrakech.