Information on Marrakech
Marrakech is the most visited of Morocco's three Imperial Cities, with an enchanting fairytale quality, which brings thousands of sightseers to the city. Medina (the old city) is like stepping into a medieval 'Arabian nights', with winding alleyways and souks at every turn. Djemaa el-Fna is in the heart of Medina and is the place where everything seems to happen and the square draws tourists to it, with its carnival-like environment. Blending with the older parts of the city, which were once made up by the Berber Atlas tribes, Saharan nomads and Mahgrebis from the plains. Marrakech also has a more modern side to it, where luxury hotels, banks and businesses form a modern metropolis and the streets are bursting with busy traffic and motor scooters.
The haze of the heat often hides the snow-covered peaks of the High Atlas Mountains, but they form an impressive backdrop for the city of Marrakech on a clear day. Youssef bin Tachfine of the Almoravide dynasty founded Marrakech in 1062 and his son built up the city by bringing in craftsmen and architects from Cordoba. The city walls were raised from the red mud of the plains, and the city was perfected with baths, a subterranean water system, palaces and a variety of mosques.
Taking one of the hundreds of horse drawn carriages (caleches) is an ideal way to soak up the atmosphere of Marrakech from a comfortable distance. However to experience the maelstrom of Medina's souks, an exploration on foot is recommended to see the winding passages where tradesmen sell a variety of products and shopkeepers will tempt passing tourists to explore their array of colourful crafts, with a mixture of copper beating, perfumes, slippers, cloth dying, leather working and herbalists merchandise available.
Koutoubia Mosque
The principal landmark of Marrakech is the minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque, also known as the 'mosque of booksellers' due to a bazaar of book traders previously located nearby. It towers over the labyrinthine streets and souks of Marrakech in a vibrant red stone and was originally built in 1147, but demolished and rebuilt in 1199 as it was incorrectly aligned with Mecca. The mosque has room for thousands to pray within its walls and is a massive prayer hall with seventeen aisles and one hundred and twelve columns. A gift believed to be from Almoravid Sultan Ali ben Youssef of an ornately carved pulpit (minbar) resides within the mosque and the landmark minaret, which is over two hundred feet high, consists of six chambers. The mosque is closed to non-Muslims, but even from the outside the building is an impressive sight.
Transport: Bus 1; Admission: Free (gardens)
Djemaa el-Fna
The main town square of Marrakech is a bright and lively place. Djemaa el-Fna also known as the 'Square of the Dead' defies it's name, as it is filled with a colourful circus of performing artists, including musicians, snake charmers, healers and storytellers. The milling crowds offer ample audience to the lively performers and every evening the food stalls take over, offering culinary delights and surprises from kebabs and fresh salads to boiled snails and sheep's heads. Amongst the throng of constant activity are many cafes to sit at and watch the vivacious parades. In addition to being a centre for entertainment, the square is also the gateway to the bazaars and souks of Marrakech. These are hidden away in the labyrinth of narrow streets and alleyways surrounding the square and they offer a shopping haven of exotic perfumes, Moroccan carpets, gifts, trinkets and food and delicacies.
Dar Si Said Museum
The Dar Si Said Museum contains arts, crafts, relics and artefacts from the culture of the Berber people, this also includes Moorish furniture crafted in cedar wood and an insight into every day life living in the Sahara desert. The museum is located in a palace on the Riad Ezzitoun El Jadid and displays elaborately carved and ornamental frames in the courtyard.
Address: Riad Ezzitoun El Jadid; Telephone: (044) 442 464; Opening time: Daily 8.30am to 11.45am; and 2.30pm to 5.45pm; closed
Tuesdays; Admission: Dh20
Saadian Tombs
The Saadian Tombs were built in the 16th century by Saadian Sultan Ahmed el Mansour as a final resting place for his successors and himself. The enchanting necropolis contains sixty-six indoor tombs, which are adorned with intricate and colourful mosaics. The Hall of the Twelve Columns is lavishly ornate, furnished with columns of dusky grey Italian marble, intricately carved cedar panels and has an detailed and ornate high vaulted roof.
Address: Rue de la Kasbah near the city walls in the old city, beneath the minaret of the Kasbah mosque; Opening time: Wednesday to
Monday 9am to 11.45pm, and 2.30pm to 5.30pm; Admission: 15 dirhams
Oukaimeden
Just forty-six miles from Marrakech you can find a ski resort in the desert! During the winter months (mainly January and February) the mountain peak of Jabal Oukaimeden is covered with thick snow and a variety of skiing facilities are available. Transportation to Oukaimeden town comes in the form of a taxi or rented car and the town itself is fully equipped with a variety of restaurants, ski equipment shops and ski hire, luxury hotels and modern ski lifts. The resort is set in lush greenery and backed by blue mountains, and for visitors preferring to try a traditional African ski, they can ascend the mountain by camel or donkey instead of the ski lifts.
Essaouira
The town of Essaouira faces the sea and is encircled by a fortified wall, with quaint whitewashed houses and a beautiful stretch of beach. Essaouira dates back to the 18th century and is a pretty resort town with a variety of attractions, including boat builders workshops and art galleries. It also offers a range of sports and activities like wind surfing and kite surfing and has a laid-back atmosphere and windy climate. Only a short bus ride from Marrakech the town's crafts include a large amount of woodcarving in aromatic Thuya wood, and the busy harbour is home to a fish auction and a variety of water activities.
Ouirgane
Only a ninety-minute drive from Marrakech, the village of Ouirgane is located in the foothills of the Atlas Mountain range. Central to a popular resort area Ouirgane has an ideal climate with less harsh winters and cooler summers than the city. Many hamlets and picturesque villages surround Ouirgane for exploration and the surrounding Berber countryside offers lush forests of wildlife, cascading streams, fields of wildflowers, groves of fruit trees and exquisite rose gardens.
