Many of the medieval gates had complex "bent entrances" designed for greater defensiveness. These included the Crystal Garden (az-zujaj), the garden known as al-Mustaha ("the Desired"), and the Qasr Garden or inner garden. It included not only the royal palace (known as the Dar al-Khalifa[1] or Qasr al-Khilafa[4]), but also the congregational mosque (the Kasbah Mosque), markets and qaysariyya (bazaar), bathhouses (hammams), warehouses, stables, cemeteries, gardens, and squares. the Mansuriyya Mosque and the Mosque of Moulay al-Yazid), which is active today and accessible to Muslims. [1]:57 It was the first monumental structure built by the Almoravids and marked their definitive transition from a nomadic Saharan people to an empire with a fixed base. [16][18]:80, Rammed earth walls were built from bottom to top one level at a time. A few other gates, mainly from recent centuries, can be found around the city and have their own names, in addition to a number of non-notable openings in the walls which have been created to improve free movement in and out of the medina. Be aware of con artists, especially in Djemma el Fna. [7][13] Other historical records refer to it as as-Saha al-Kubra ("the grand square"), or simply as as-Saha or ar-Rahba. Some time after the Almoravid period another bent passage was added on the inner side of the gate, such that one enters the gate from the south, turns twice (first left, then right), and emerges into the city facing north. [1]:218 The second division was in the southwest corner, taking up about 12 hectares (30 acres) and containing the various services required by the palace and government. Bab ad-Debbagh (or simply Bab Debbagh) is the northernmost of the two eastern gates of the city, dating back to the Almoravid period. [4]:320 It was built over the site of an Almoravid garden estate known as as-Salia. The major souk (market) streets of the city thus developed along the roads linking these two important sites and still correspond to the main axis of souks today. Jemaa el-Fnaa ( Arabic: Sat Jmi al-Fan, also Jemaa el-Fna, Djema el-Fna or Djemaa el-Fnaa) is a square and market place in Marrakesh 's medina quarter (old city). TRAFFIC Bulletin Available from, List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, "Medina of Marrakesh - UNESCO World Heritage Centre", "UNESCO - Cultural space of Jemaa el-Fna Square", "Life, Adventures and Discoveries: Mysteries of Marrakech Morocco", "Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage 2003", "Morocco: Marrakesh bomb strikes Djemaa el-Fna square", "The Amazing Race recap: 'Morocc' and Roll', "Ilham's Story: Torture to the beat of Jamaa al Fna drums", The Time Machine | Photography portfolio about Jamaa El-Fna, Official Website | Official Website about Jamaa El-Fna, BBC news about preserving intangible patrimony, A Night at Jamaa El-Fna - article in English with many high-quality pictures, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jemaa_el-Fnaa&oldid=1146684542, Jamaa El-Fnaa, Marrakesh's main square, was featured in the fifth episode of the, An interesting account of the place in the 1970s can be seen in, As the Djemaa el-Fnaa, the square was a featured location in, The square was featured as a photo shoot setting in the TV reality series. The spectacle of Jamaa el Fna is repeated daily and each day it is different. [2], After the decline of the Saadian dynasty, the kasbah was severely neglected again, as the 'Alawi dynasty that succeeded them rarely used Marrakesh as their capital. Measuring around 130 by 70 metres (430 by 230ft), it is divided by a northsouth path, which in turn is intersected by several perpendicular paths. [1] The original 18th-century palace was arranged in a regular and symmetrical fashion reflecting a riad-style layout, but subsequent constructions have added asymmetrical elements. [3][1] Like other Almoravid gates of the city, it has been significantly modified since its initial construction. It was originally known as Bab Fes ("Gate of Fes"), but this name was apparently lost during the Marinid era. [19], This was one of the southern gates of the Almoravid city, named after the Saliha gardens south of the city. [1] Another explanation is that it refers to a mosque with a distinctive courtyard or square in front of it. It was founded by the Almohads in the late 12th century, with most of the construction carried out by Caliph Ya'qub al-Mansur (r. 11841199). Medina Guliz (also known as Ville Nouvelle) Stay safe Emergency phone numbers Hospitals Drinking water Scams Staying Connected Embassies LGBTQ Tourists The flanking towers and the covered vestibule, however, have since disappeared, and the archway of the gate has been partly filled-in with a smaller brick arch. Name [ edit] Average lows dip to around 43 degrees Fahrenheit in December and January, Marrakeshs coldest months. They included: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct,.mw-parser-output .geo-inline-hidden{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}313754N 75921W / 31.6318N 7.9893W / 31.6318; -7.9893. [1][3], The structures on the north side of the Arsat an-Nil, known collectively as al-Qasr al-Akhdar ("the Green Palace"), are arranged around two large rectangular courtyards: a northern one and a southern one. [2] Nowadays, the market continues almost all week right outside the gate,[16] while a permanent flea market, Souk al-Khemis, has been constructed a few hundred meters to the north. Fundada por volta de 1071 pelos Almorvidas, Marraquexe permaneceu um importante centro cultural, econmico e poltico por um grande perodo de tempo. [21], The idea of the UNESCO project Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity came from people concerned about the Jamaa el Fna. [1]:108109 Prior to construction, the path of the walls was laid out with ropes and the amir's astrologers were consulted for the most propitious date on which to start. Workers pressed and packed in the materials into sections ranging from 50 and 70cm in length that were each held together temporarily by wooden boards. The medinas long and illustrious past is still clearly visible in its many landmarks. [1] A state prison was created within the grounds and annexes of the old Badi Palace, immediately adjacent to Muhammad's new palace. [1][16], Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur, who oversaw the apogee of Saadian power, undertook another series of constructions and renovations. It may have been a southern gate of the city, possibly near what later became the Jewish Mellah on the east side of the Kasbah, but it has since disappeared without any clear trace. [1][2][4][13] A "madrasa" stood next to main square near the palace, though the Almohad madrasa was most likely not the same type of institution as the madrasas introduced to Morocco under the Marinid dynasty in the later 13th century. Date 27 November 2008 Source https://www.flickr.com/photos/roblisameehan/3071018335/ Author oblisameehan Licensing[edit] [16] Beyond these structures and further east, were a number of pleasure gardens which occupied the whole eastern side of the kasbah. Medina of Marrakesh (Marrakech) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go The following are the main historical gates of the medina (the main walled city; not counting the Kasbah to the south). [14][4]:227 The expansion of the city also included the founding of a hospital (maristan), the location of which is unclear. The earliest gates of the Kasbah date to the Almohad period, but a number of gates date from the various expansions of the kasbah and the royal palace (Dar al-Makhzen) in later centuries. Visitors and locals sit side-by-side at communal tables while food is prepared on open fires that send clouds of fragrant smoke into the sky. [1][3], When the Almohad ruler Abd al-Mu'min conquered Marrakesh in 1147, he reportedly destroyed many Almoravid monuments (especially mosques). How we rank things to do. Notably, a new royal kasbah (citadel) was erected further south by Ya'qub al-Mansur after 1184. Surrounded by some 19 kilometers of ramparts built in 1122, the medina of Marrakech is a World Heritage Site and bears the name of the entire historic center of the city. French historian Gaston Deverdun, in particular, favoured this second hypothesis.[3][1]. As darkness falls, the square fills with dozens of food-stalls as the number of people on the square peaks. [2][1][15] A gate known as the Bab al-Bustan allowed direct access between the caliph's palace and the gardens. At the beginning of the 20th century the gate was walled-up and closed, but today a road passes through it. [1] This layout made it similar to other monumental Almohad gates such as Bab er-Rouah in Rabat. On the east side of the garden is a gate that leads to the Barrima Mosque, the official mosque of the palace built by Muhammad ibn Abdallah. Today the gate is flanked by other simple openings in the wall to allow for easy circulation. [1]:483[3]:397, The main structure on the south side of the Arsat an-Nil is called ad-Dar al-Kebira ("the Great House"). [2] All of them believe that Bab Neffis, another gate described in historical sources and named after the nearby Neffis (or N'fis) River, was most likely another name for the same gate. He also built a new mosque, the Barrima Mosque, on the eastern perimeter of the palaces. [2] Today, however, the gate has lost its bastions and its bent passage and all that remains is a large archway over the main street to the south of the Zawiya of Sidi Bel Abbes. [1]:498 This gate leads in turn to the largest mechouar, the Grand Mechouar (also called Mechouar al-Awwali). From above, the Marrakech medina resembles a human honeycomb. [19], Between the mosque to the west and the El Badi and Dar al-Makhzen palaces to the east is an area that was once part of the royal palace or its annexes but today is occupied by residential neighborhoods. [8]:535, The square continued to serve as a meeting place at the heart of the city despite having no formal architectural delineation. [1][2][4], The current western and southern outline of the kasbah today, including its walls, most likely still date back essentially to the Almohad construction. It included a large water basin which was used for bathing during the summer. The tower was once crowned with sawtooth-shaped merlons from the Saadian era, but these have since disappeared. It was built on the orders of Sultan Moulay Hassan (ruled 18731894) in order to facilitate access to the palace at this end. The main courtyard was entered from the south via a series of gates including Bab al-Akhdar (the outer entrance to the palace from the mechouars). Its western sections are filled with residential neighborhoods. The gates are described below in order, starting from the northeast corner of the medina and proceeding in a clockwise fashion. "fin in Arabic commonly means "open area"; a straight translation would be "the gathering/congregation area". The Saadian Tombs and the ruins of the El Badi Palace date from this period. It is entered from the south via a triple-arched portico, in front of which a large square pool of water is positioned at the center of the courtyard. The Ksar el-Hajjar was located directly north of today's Kutubiyya Mosque. Marraquexe (em francs: Marrakech; em rabe: ; romaniz . It is named after the Nile River, allegedly because it was planted with flora from Egypt. Marrakech | History, Culture & Attractions | Britannica He built the most elaborate mausoleums in the Saadian Tombs. [1][2] According to Ibn Idhari, in 1183 the Almohad ruler Abu Ya'qub Yusuf ordered the construction of a new extension to the city following complaints of overpopulation inside the old city. [1]:195[12] The construction of the kasbah was motivated in part by the rapid growth of the city's population and an urgent need for more space within the city. Uncorroborated reports claim that political activists have sometimes been imprisoned and abused in the police jail under Jamaa el Fna. This image was uploaded as part of Medina Stories 2020 photographic contest. Its creation was motivated in part by the rapid growth of the city's population and an urgent need for more space within the city. [1][2], The kasbah is flanked to the east by the former Jewish district of the city, the Mellah. The mosque would have likely followed the same model as the Bab Doukkala and Mouassine Mosques, being deliberately built in the midst of major traffic routes in the city, and would have been accompanied by a number of attendant civic and religious buildings. Medina of Marrakesh Reviews | U.S. News Travel However, keep the following tips in mind for a hassle-free experience: Top 10 Things to See and Do in Marrakesh, Morocco, 10 of the Best Places to Visit in Morocco, The Top 15 Things to See and Do in Morocco, Marrakeshs Djemma el Fna: The Complete Guide, Nightlife in Marrakesh: Best Bars, Clubs, & More, The 18 Top Things to Do in Meknes, Morocco. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Its influence was felt throughout the western Muslim world, from North Africa to Andalusia. The outer (western) facade of Bab Doukkala, The inner (eastern) facade of Bab Doukkala. These seasons also typically have fewer crowds and lower rates than the peak summer holidays. [3][2] It is the other western gate of the city, located north of Bab el-Makhzen in an angle of the ramparts, and dates back to the Almoravid period. It is located on the south side of the main medina. Aside from the mosque and the main gate, Bab Agnaou, almost none of the Almohad structures have survived intact. [2][3] Another possibility is that it was simply another name for Bab Aylan or, more likely, Bab Aghmat. Another public square, also known as the asaraq, existed in front of the mosque. The palace's main entrance is from the south. The west wing is also topped by an observation belvedere called the Menzeh ar-Radhi, with views on the courtyard and the garden. Jump to navigation Jump to search. Everything changes voices, sounds, gestures, the public which sees, listens, smells, tastes, touches. [13] The importance of the great public square in front of the royal palace thus led it to become the place for public executions, military parades, festivals, and other public events until long afterwards. [1] The date of its construction is unclear; it existed at the beginning of the 19th century and may have been built under Muhammad ibn Abdallah in the 18th century, but was almost certainly not part of the original Almohad kasbah. However the new Almohad rulers for a time used the Ksar el-Hajjar and the palace of Ali ibn Yusuf as their official residence. It originally consisted of one vast courtyard around which were three secondary courtyards. Este aezat la circa 150 km de coasta Oceanului Atlantic. Aside from those of the Kasbah, the city's main gates all date back to the Almoravid period when the city walls were first built, but most of them have undergone subsequent modifications in later periods. The heavy pillars and walls at ground level uphold a large square chamber above, which was heavily decorated with zellij tiling and painted wood ceiling. [1] For faster navigation, this Iframe is preloading the Wikiwand page for Medina of Marrakesh . Marrakesh Medina, Morocco: The Complete Guide By Jessica Macdonald Updated on 03/27/20 Peter Adams/ Getty Images Founded in the 11 th century and renowned for its treasure trove of mosques, palaces, and museums, Marrakesh is the most visited of Morocco's four Imperial Cities. From the bustling markets to the captivating scents and architectural wonders, the Medina of Marrakech offers a captivating journey through Moroccan tradition and charm. [1]:499500, The interior of the palace consists of various gardens and courtyards surrounded by chambers and pavilions. On the south side of this passage were located most of the service annexes of the palace, including kitchens, warehouses, the treasury, and stables. It is enclosed by 16km of ramparts and gates. Almoravid foundation (11th-12th centuries), Almohad period (late 12th to 13th centuries), The Saadian and Alaouite periods (15th century and after), "Matriaux de construction traditionnels: Un bilan des recherches et des expriences", "Flea Market in Marrakech: Bab El Khemis", "Bab Khemis: the flea market in Marrakech", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Walls_of_Marrakesh&oldid=1158526498, This page was last edited on 4 June 2023, at 16:30. Medina in Marrakech | Moroccan National Tourist Office - Visit Morocco Medina of Marrakesh - Wikiwand Haggling is expected in the medina and vendors can be quite vigorous. Discover where to shop and where to eat below, before checking out some of the best riad hotels the medina has to offer. However, youll find better prices and a more authentic atmosphere in the themed souks that branch off in every direction: The heart of the medina is Djemma el Fna, a triangular plaza and gathering place for henna artists, snake charmers, acrobats, and fortune-tellers during the day. Date: 15 April 2011: . [1][8] Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur also renovated and replanted the Agdal Gardens, thus maintaining this large walled enclosure to the south of the city.[8]. [2] The outline of the gate's original exit, now walled-up, can still be seen in its interior western wall. The UNESCO label aims to raise awareness about the importance of oral and intangible heritage as an essential component of cultural diversity. It remains the main square of Marrakesh, used by locals and tourists. In terms of weather, the best time to travel is in the spring (April and May) or fall (September and November) when temperatures are pleasant and sunshine is abundant. [3] It has the most complicated layout of any gate: its passage bends 5 times, in an almost S-like path, passing through two open-air courts and one covered chamber. This Is What Makes The Medina Of Marrakesh So Famous - TheTravel This way, the bastion of the gate straddled the city wall and its design was thus quite similar to the original configuration of Bab Aghmat, the other southern gate of the city. [17][18], During the day it is predominantly occupied by orange juice stalls, water sellers with traditional leather water-bags and brass cups, youths with chained Barbary apes and snake charmers despite the protected status of these species under Moroccan law.[19][20]. [2][19] The Agdal Gardens were also maintained and were replanted in the 19th century, with new royal pavilions constructed within them and new fortifications constructed on their west side. It wasn't until the Saadian Dynasty (16th century to early 17th century) established Marrakesh as their capital that the city saw a resurgence. Marrakesh Medina, Morocco: The Complete Guide - TripSavvy [18] In many cases walls were covered with a coating of lime, stucco, or other material to give them a smooth surface and to better protect the main structure.[16]. Its easy to get lost in the medina, and while this can be part of the fun, its a good idea to carry a map and/or the address of your riad with you. These gates were, in clockwise order starting from the northeast: Bab Fes (later known as Bab el-Khemis), Bab Debbagh, Bab Aylan, Bab Aghmat, Bab Yintan, Bab as-Saliha, Bab Neffis (probably the predecessor of Bab er-Robb today), Bab ash-Shari'a, Bab al-Makhzen, Bab el-'Arissa (also known as Bab ar-Raha), Bab Doukkala, Bab Moussoufa, and Bab Taghzout. Category:Medina of Marrakech Aus Wikimedia Commons, dem freien Medienarchiv Diese Sttte ist als UNESCO-Welterbe unter der Bezeichnung Medina of Marrakesh gekennzeichnet. Remains of these Almoravid structures have been excavated and the remains of a stone gate called Bab 'Ali, belonging to Ali's palace, are visible today alongside the ruins of the first Kutubiyya Mosque. It provided education for the ruler's children and family members. This competition only ended with the establishment of Rabat as the capital of a newly independent Morocco in 1955. [2] Abu-l-Walid ibn Rushd, a qadi from Cordoba and the grandfather of the famous Ibn Rushd (Averroes), was reportedly the one who convinced the amir to undertake the construction. At night, hastily erected stalls transform the space into a huge al fresco restaurant. [1]:485 The current structures and gardens of the royal palace date mainly from this period (at least in terms of their overall layout). Medina of Marrakesh | For UNESCO World Heritage Travellers [2] While historians Deverdun and Allain believes the gate to be of Almohad origin (specifically under Ya'qub al-Mansur) due to its location relative to the Almohad Kasbah,[3][1] historian Quentin Wilbaux more recently argued that its location in the wider schema of the city suggests it was an original Almoravid gate. If you enter a carpet shop and vendors spend a lot of time rolling out their wares for your perusal, dont feel as though you have to make a purchase. [2] The gate underwent a significant renovation in 1803-04 on the orders of Sultan Moulay Slimane, noted by a marble inscription found inside. 241. [16] On the north side of the passage was the vast reception palace (the El Badi Palace), along with the private quarters of the sultan and his family, their bathhouses (hammams), a private mosque, and the mint. However, when the gate was studied by French scholars in 1912 the surrounding city wall had a different configuration: rather than attaching to the side of the gatehouse it attached to the middle of the gate's northern facade, between its two doorways, such that the eastern doorway was outside the city wall while the western one was inside the walls. [3], The outer (northern) facade of Bab el-Khemis, The inner (southern) facade of Bab el-Khemis. It remains the main square of Marrakesh, used by locals and tourists. The outer (eastern) entrance of Bab Debbagh, The inner (western) entrance of Bab Debbagh (facing the city), Bab Aylan is the other (southernmost) eastern gate of the city, south of Bab Debbagh. turning 90-degrees once) located within a bastion on the outer side of the ramparts. [1]:244 Also near here was a hippodrome for equestrian games and training, equipped with a pavilion from which the amir or caliph could observe the activities. On its south side, the chamber also gives access to a small open terrace which allowed the sultan to admire the view of the Agdal Gardens and of the Atlas Mountains to the south. On other sides are hotels and gardens and caf terraces, and narrow streets lead into the alleys of the medina quarter. Its creation may have been needed to allow workers to come and go during construction of the Badi Palace, which is located nearby. [17] The technique is still in use today, though the composition and ratio of these materials has continued to change over time as some materials (like clay) have become relatively more costly than others (like gravel). Hr ligger den eleganta Koutoubia -moskn (byggd 1184-1198) med ett 68 meter hgt torn, citadellet, mausoleerna och sultanpalatset (frn 1200-1800-talet). Be prepared to walk with your luggage from the medina gate to your accommodation. [1], The kasbah was divided into three parts by inner walls which each had its own gate. Since both entrances still faced north, this meant that the outer entrance was not actually directly visible to outsiders coming from the countryside because it faced back towards the city walls; as a result, travelers arriving from the south had to walk all the way around to the far side of the bastion and enter it from the north. [3] The gate was the site of the Battle of al-Buhayra in 1130 in which the Almoravids defeated an assault by the Almohads. [4], The Almoravid emir Ali ibn Yusuf (ruled 1106-1143) soon afterwards constructed a palace directly south of and adjacent to the Ksar el-Hajjar, on the actual site of the later Kutubiyya Mosque. [3] The gate is also called Bab Sidi Bel Abbes (after the nearby shrine). To the north of the palace are the remains of the monumental El Badi Palace, which are now a historic site accessible to tourists. It was designed as a showcase of al-Mansur's power and wealth, making use of the most lavish materials and decoration including Italian marble. Shortly before noon on April 28, 2011, a blast originating in a caf in the square killed 17 people and injured another 25. The new citadel and extension of the city was known in historical sources as the Kasbah (or Qasaba), as well as Tamurakusht and as-Salia. The rest of the district consists of various neighbourhoods and monuments.
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