[8]:63[9][10][11] Initially, the city's two main monuments and focal points were the fortress known as Ksar el-Hajjar ("fortress of stone") and the city's first Friday mosque (the site of the future Ben Youssef Mosque). Bab Ighli Street, looking west towards Bab Ighli gate (visible in the distance). The gate was originally flanked by two bastion towers and the passage inside was a bent entrance (meaning it turned 90 degrees before exiting) passing through a large vaulted vestibule. [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]. To the north of the palace are the remains of the monumental El Badi Palace, which are now a historic site accessible to tourists. A fire in a funduq (commercial warehouse) ignited 500 quintals of gunpowder which were dangerously stored there. [3][1]:118128[2] Four of these gates Bab ash-Shari'a, Bab Moussoufa, Bab Yintan, and Bab as-Saliha disappeared some time ago and are only known from historical texts or from vestigial physical evidence. 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). The outer (western) facade of Bab Doukkala, The inner (eastern) facade of Bab Doukkala. [12] At one end of this axis, next to the Ksar el-Hajjar, a large open space existed for temporary and weekly markets. Only ask the cost of an item if youre genuinely interested in buying it, then start by halving the initial asking price. [3][2] According to legend, the door leaves of the gate were brought from Spain by a victorious Yusuf ibn Tashfin. [4] However it may also have been motivated by the Almohad caliph's desire to follow the example of other powerful Islamic rulers who built separate palace-cities from which to rule, such as the Ummayyad construction of Madinat al-Zahra near Cordoba or the Abbasid construction of Samarra in Iraq. It was walled-up at the beginning of the 20th century but today it has a simple opening through which a local road passes.[2]. Name [ edit] Text taken from Ijustwanttobecool, UNESCO World Heritage Centre. It is the oldest part of the city, also known as the old town. [16], Despite the encroachment of new constructions on the edge of the square over time, it never disappeared due to its role as an open market area and as the site of public events. A gate at its northeastern corner, called Bab Bu 'Uqqaz, leads to the palace and was traditionally used to receive ambassadors or to conduct other ceremonies. At night, hastily erected stalls transform the space into a huge al fresco restaurant. It wasn't until the Saadian Dynasty (16th to early 17th centuries) established Marrakesh as their capital that the city saw a resurgence. [1] Today this area is occupied by a large cemetery stretching out from Bab er-Robb. Related: The Past And Present Of The Medina Illustrate Its Outstanding Universal Value [3] The gate resembled the nearby Bab el-Khemis in its original configuration: it was flanked by two square bastions and had a bent entrance by which one entered from the north and exited to the west. Many of them are of minor architectural interest, though Bab Ahmar (the easternmost gate) has a unique design that includes an elevated platform for light artillery. [20][2] It is the most notable gate due its incorporation of a large guardhouse and a terrace that could hold light artillery. [5] In 1922 the government (under French administration at the time), passed the first laws aimed at protecting and preserving the square's cultural space and heritage. In addition to its old role as a place of public executions, it was also the site of a traditional Friday market, a stage for the performance of fantasias, and the setting of public entertainment in the evenings (much as today). La ciudad de Fez fue fundada en el siglo IX y alcanz su apogeo bajo la dinasta de los merinidas en los siglos XIII y XIV, cuando reemplaz a Marrakech como capital del reino. [1][4], The main public entrance to the kasbah was the Bab Agnaou, a gate located in the kasbah's northwestern corner and accessed from inside the city walls. The following are the main historical gates of the medina (the main walled city; not counting the Kasbah to the south). Date: 15 April 2011: . 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. Almedina de Marraquexe - Wikipdia, a enciclopdia livre Marrakech (Marrakesh)- Marrakech is a perfect combination of old and new Morocco. The Medina of Marrakech [16][18]:80, Rammed earth walls were built from bottom to top one level at a time. A main street ran in a straight line from north to south connecting these two squares. Sultan Moulay Abdallah al-Ghalib constructed new palaces and annexes in the northern part of the kasbah and repaired the Kasbah Mosque after it was damaged in a gunpowder explosion in the 1560s or 1570s. [4][5], On January 24, 1864, a massive explosion took place in the area of the square, reportedly caused by the criminal negligence of certain officials trying to avoid a government inspection. [3] The gate is also called Bab Sidi Bel Abbes (after the nearby shrine). If youd rather escape from the hustle and bustle of Djemma el Fna, there are plenty of other excellent restaurants located within the medina walls: Marrakesh has a semi-arid climate and follows the same seasonal patterns as the rest of the northern hemisphere. [8]:535, The square continued to serve as a meeting place at the heart of the city despite having no formal architectural delineation. Medina of Marrakesh - UNESCO World Heritage Centre 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. Category:Medina of Marrakech - Wikimedia Commons [3] It was probably named after the palace (Dar al-Makhzen) which existed near here in the Almoravid period as part of the former Ksar el-Hajjar. On other sides are hotels and gardens and caf terraces, and narrow streets lead into the alleys of the medina quarter. The Best Medinas in Morocco - Culture Trip The Gates of Marrakesh were for the most part established since the original Almoravid construction of the city walls but most have been modified during later periods. Marrakech - Wikitravel It provided education for the ruler's children and family members. While the palace complex historically encompassed most of the kasbah, it now occupies a more limited space. The Medina is a labyrinth of winding alleys and colorful souks that have changed little in the hundreds of years since it was built. 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. Uncorroborated reports claim that political activists have sometimes been imprisoned and abused in the police jail under Jamaa el Fna. It is named after the qadi who was in charge of its construction. Floor plan of Bab er-Robb over time. However, due to a downturn in fortunes (probably outbreaks of the plague) the sultan was forced to abandon the project part-way through. [3] A major cemetery, the Bab Aghmat Cemetery, occupies a wide area just outside the gate. The Medina of Marrakech is a vibrant tapestry of culture and history. [1] The gate is flanked by octagonal towers and has been much modified. [3] Because of this uncharacteristic configuration, and based on comparisons with other gates of the city, Wilbaux has hypothesized that the city's ramparts in this area were previously altered and moved around the gate such that the entrances were originally reversed: the eastern doorway, which was the outer entrance in 1912, was originally located inside the city walls, while the western doorway (the inner entrance in 1912) was originally outside the city walls. It is dominated by the largest riad garden in Marrakesh, the Arsat an-Nil ("Garden of the Nile"). Notably, a new royal kasbah (citadel) was erected further south by Ya'qub al-Mansur after 1184. The Kasbah of Marrakesh is a large walled district in the southern part of the medina of Marrakesh, Morocco, which historically served as the citadel (kasbah) and royal palace complex of the city. Marrakesh was founded by the Almoravid dynasty in 1070 by Abu Bakr ibn Umar and subsequently developed by his successors. This stunning city contains one of the world's oldest market areas also known as a Medina in this region. Marrakesh was founded in 1070 by Abu Bakr ibn Umar, the early leader of the Almoravids. To the south of this is another neighborhood created in recent centuries called Bab Ahmar or Bab Hmar (named after a nearby gate). 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). [1][16], Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur, who oversaw the apogee of Saadian power, undertook another series of constructions and renovations. The gate's passage originally consisted of a bent entrance which effected a single 90-degree turn; one entered the gate from the north and then exited westwards into the city. - datan de este periodo. File : Old Medina, Marrakech, Morocco - 49673613777.jpg Exploring the medina is generally safe for tourists. Bab Doukkala is the northwestern gate of the medina. It is entered from the east via the Bab er-Rih gate. On its north side is the official main gate to the palace, Bab al-Akhdar. The Bab Doukkala gate, for example, was used by merchants from El Jadida to the northwest of Marrakech - and nearby areas. Kasbah of Marrakesh - Wikipedia The palace complex was neglected after the fall of the Almohads, but the Kasbah was restored and rebuilt by the Saadian dynasty in the 16th century, during the time of sultans Abdallah al-Ghalib and Ahmad al-Mansur, who created new palaces and extensive gardens. The ruined outline of its walls was apparently still visible in the 19th century and corresponded roughly to the current site of the "Souk Jdid" (the "new souk" just north of the food-stalls). [16] He built the first structures of the Saadian Tombs on the south side of the mosque. The whole ensemble was strongly symmetrical and was arranged to form a grand approach to the main gardens to the north. The most famous of these is Bahia Palace, later turned into a royal palace. She also covers travel products and has written about everything from camping knives to climbing chalk. Marrakech - Wikipedia [3][2] In a much later period a walled courtyard with a very different construction style was added on the outer end of the gate, forcing traffic to effect one more 180-degree turn (though in recent times the northern wall of this courtyard has been knocked down to allow a more direct passage). It is approached via a series of walled courtyards or official squares known as mechouars (also spelled meshwar), a common feature of traditional royal palaces in Morocco. [4] It may also have been motivated by the Almohad caliph's desire to follow the example of other powerful Islamic rulers who built separate palace-cities from which to rule, such as the Umayyad construction of Madinat al-Zahra near Cordoba or the Abbasid construction of Samarra in Iraq. It's enclosed by 19-kilometers of pink walls built around 1122. The place is known for its active concentration of traditional activities by storytellers, musicians and performers, but it was threatened by economic development pressures. The Walls of Marrakesh are a set of defensive ramparts which enclose the historic medina districts of Marrakesh, Morocco. Category:Medina of Marrakech Aus Wikimedia Commons, dem freien Medienarchiv Diese Sttte ist als UNESCO-Welterbe unter der Bezeichnung Medina of Marrakesh gekennzeichnet. [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. The following Marinid dynasty made Fes their capital and carried out few major constructions in Marrakesh. Later architectural jewels include the Badi Palace, the Ben Youssef Madrasa, the Saadian Tombs, several great residences and Place Jama El Fna, a veritable open-air theatre.[1]. [1]:537, Bab Ksiba (or Bab Qusayba) is a small western gate to the Kasbah district. If you take photographs of the street performers in Djemma el Fna, expect to tip the subjects. 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. [1] Many of the city's main gates also date back to this period at least in their locations if not necessarily in their current forms and names. These were located further and were enclosed by their own separate walls. [2].mw-parser-output .tmulti .multiimageinner{display:flex;flex-direction:column}.mw-parser-output .tmulti .trow{display:flex;flex-direction:row;clear:left;flex-wrap:wrap;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box}.mw-parser-output .tmulti .tsingle{margin:1px;float:left}.mw-parser-output .tmulti .theader{clear:both;font-weight:bold;text-align:center;align-self:center;background-color:transparent;width:100%}.mw-parser-output .tmulti .thumbcaption{background-color:transparent}.mw-parser-output .tmulti .text-align-left{text-align:left}.mw-parser-output .tmulti .text-align-right{text-align:right}.mw-parser-output .tmulti .text-align-center{text-align:center}@media all and (max-width:720px){.mw-parser-output .tmulti .thumbinner{width:100%!important;box-sizing:border-box;max-width:none!important;align-items:center}.mw-parser-output .tmulti .trow{justify-content:center}.mw-parser-output .tmulti .tsingle{float:none!important;max-width:100%!important;box-sizing:border-box;text-align:center}.mw-parser-output .tmulti .tsingle .thumbcaption{text-align:left}.mw-parser-output .tmulti .trow>.thumbcaption{text-align:center}}, The main structure of the gate is a bastion inside which a bent passage enters from the north, performs a 180-degree turn, and then exits again to the north. It is named after the Aylan tribe (pronounced Haylana in Arabic), which was part of the Berber Masmuda confederacy. The Badi Palace became a ruin, though the Saadian Tombs were used as a necropolis for some members of the 'Alawi royal family. Franais : Comme la plupart des mdinas du Maroc, les remparts de Marrakech sont gnralement les premiers lments architecturaux qui attirent nos regards avec Leur grandeur et couleurs de terre rouge imposante . If you have the time, both the historical medina and the contemporary mosque (the third largest in the world) are well worth an afternoon; Fes - Fes is the former capital of Morocco and one of the oldest and largest medieval cities in the world. [1][3], When the Almohad ruler Abd al-Mu'min conquered Marrakesh in 1147 he reportedly destroyed many Almoravid monuments (especially mosques) but the Ksar el-Hajjar and the palace of Ali ibn Yusuf were still used as the official residence of the new Almohad rulers for a time. An Essential Guide to Marrakech's Souks - Culture Trip The resulting walled area formed an irregular polygon of vaguely quadrangular shape. [3] The gate was the site of the Battle of al-Buhayra in 1130 in which the Almoravids defeated an assault by the Almohads. It wasn't until the Saadian Dynasty (16th century to early 17th century) established Marrakesh as their capital that the city saw a resurgence. Their successors, the Marinid dynasty, made Fes their capital and carried out few major constructions in Marrakesh. [1] To the west, the kasbah is flanked by largely open ground. [13][15] The current western and southern outline of the kasbah, including its walls, probably date to the Almohad construction, but many other ramparts and gates have been changed since. 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. [2] The current structures and gardens of the palace date mainly from the 'Alawi period, mostly from the time of Moulay Muhammad ibn Abdallah in the 18th century. [1]:226227. [2] Je hospodskm a kulturnm stediskem jin sti sttu. The square fulfills an important function for storytellers and helps keep Amazigh/Berber culture alive, and those cultural expressions have drawn worldwide attention. [13] This material consisted of mud and soil of varying consistency (everything from smooth clay to rocky soil) usually mixed with other materials such as straw or lime to aid adhesion. Trains and long-distance buses also connect Marrakesh with other key destinations across Morocco, inlacing Fez, Rabat, and Meknes. Sometimes called the Land of God or the Red City, Marrakech is a bustling, vivacious combination of old and new. [1], The kasbah was divided into three parts by inner walls which each had its own gate. Are circa 1 milion de locuitori. [3] The gate is also of Almoravid construction, but unlike many others it has not been subject to major modifications (at least in its floor plan) and retains its original sophisticated bent entrance design. [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. The first (outermost) gate to the east is Bab Ahmar ("Red Gate"; also spelled Bab Hmar). File:Medina of Marrakech (Nov. 2008).jpg - Wikimedia Commons He also built a new mosque, the Barrima Mosque, on the eastern perimeter of the palaces. [13][14][15] It is also known as "pis" (from French) or "tabia" (from Arabic). Once the material was settled, the wooden restraints could be removed and the process was repeated on top of the previously completed level. The Medina of Marrakesh is a Medina quarter in Marrakesh, Morocco. [1]:481482 The southern sections of the palace were probably finished before 1760. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the medina was founded in 1070 as the capital of the Almoravid empire. Marrakesh Medina, Morocco: The Complete Guide - TripSavvy The Saadians established themselves in the old Almohad kasbah and undertook their own renovations and reconstructions. Category:Medina of Marrakech - Wikimedia Commons Following another period of neglect and pillage, the palaces were rebuilt and redeveloped by the 'Alawi sultan Muhammad ibn Abdallah who gave the Royal Palace (Dar al-Makhzen) and its surroundings much of their present form.[1][2]. [16][3] During the Almohad period, the gatehouse was expanded such that its passage effected three more right-angle turns before exiting southwards. The rest of the district consists of various neighbourhoods and monuments. Be discreet with expensive camera equipment and leave your flashier jewelry at home. It is located on the south side of the main medina. It continued to serve as the Imperial capital on and off for hundreds of years, occasionally losing the title to (and regaining it from) its rival Imperial city, Fez. [16][19] As such, old structures of this type remain intact only insofar as they are continuously restored; some stretches of wall today appear brand new due to regular maintenance, while others are crumbling.