Marrakesh Medina
I was super excited to stay inside the Medina of Marrakesh. it is part of the old city. A super concentrated residential place shared by old school urban infrastructure and aggressive encroachment by the tourists.
Marrakesh Medina is also known as Red walled city. Named literally after the colour of the wall that stands as a boundary of the old city!
We did not know, that the cars would not be willing to trudge the cobblestoned walkway of the old Medina. Given our Riad was inside one of the narrow alleys of Medina, we had to pull up the heavy suitcases and walk inside.
Alternatively, you can avail the trolley service for a meagre a USD or so, to be carried till the doorstep of the Riad. Many people would offer you their services.
The Medina is a maze of small markets and old buildings, which almost looks and feels medieval. I could quickly draw semblance with that of Old Delhi or Cairo.
The Souks or small markets sell everything from lights to carpets to spices, shoes, tajine pots. AT the wee end of the Medina I found a street trading exotic pets (read chameleons and monkeys).
The medina is where you pick up a stuff or two, as souvenirs. May be the brass ornaments from Ghana. A painting. A magnet. Haggle till prices come down to 1/3rd of the original quoted price.
Staying at a Riad
I suggest people to spend an evening and a day at max at Marrakesh before heading for the Sahara Desert.
It is crucial to spend the night at the Medina, to optimize Moroccan cultural experience.
A Riad stay accelerates the process of being a part of Moroccan culture. You close the heavy iron door of a Riad hotel, and get sucked into the quite and calm of an authentic Moroccan home.
Typically, a Riad would have a bunch of roofs, connected with one another through narrow stairs. The central part of a Riad courtyard was a waterbody, now doubling as a pool.
I have stayed at Dhow Palace Zanzibar which is pretty close to a Riad stay. But I was more tuned into finding the intricacy of Zanzibari doors.
You will find Riads at places like Tunisia and Algeria, basically part of the region of North Africa. They have a mystical ability to shut down the outside buzz and bring you a peace of calm in the chaos. If there is one must do cultural experience in Morocco, it has to be the Riad Stay.
Djemaa el Fna
The square right next to Koutoubia mosque in Marrakesh is the main attraction of the city. This is where you will seat and sip on mint tea as life unfolds in the busy streets of Marrakesh.
Many of Marrakesh’s significant architectural structures were massively damaged during the 2023 Earthquake. They have rebuilt much of it.
Koutoubia Mosque (Kutubiyya Mosque)
Named after the book vendors that once claimed the major part of the street, K mosque is the ubiquitous part of the identity of Marrakesh.
Non Muslims are not allowed to enter the premises. But you will roam around Jema and see the towering mosque casting its shadow in a stark contrast to the setting sun.
The 77 M high minaret is said to have inspired the Giralda towers of Seville in Spain. If you notice closely, the top segment of the minaret resembles that of a lantern.
The courtyard houses a garden and a tomb of a female saint, which is pretty unique.
Bahia Palace
Bahia Palace was built with expertise borrowed from all over the country, the marble from Meknes, Cedar from high Atlas, the tiles Tetouan, the artisans from Fez- Morocco’s best talent was called to create this brilliant piece of architecture, which served as a Royal residence before being ‘donated’ to the ministry of culture to run as a museum.
A descendant of a Black slave family named Si Musa who rises to the highest ministry of the royal court had built the Grand Riad.
The Palace has roughly 150 rooms opening to small Tiad gardens, fountains. Ornate decorations. Take some time to appreciate the elaborate ceiling paintings.
The Sultan has four wives and he divided the Harem in equal 4 portions for each of them, keeping little space for the concubines and others.
I found far too many people for my taste when I entered the courtyard at 11 am. The Bangladeshi lady wearing a Dhakai posing right next to me or the Pakistani family with a small kid in a pram by my side. Probably a Punjabi family for the matriarch had similar demeanour.
I would suggest spend early morning in the Palace and head straight for the Hatem and the Grand Courtyard which are the most ornate parts of the cluster. You don’t need a guide to explore this.
The name suggests Brilliance in Arabic. True to the name, if you have only one place to explore in the whole of Marrakesh, Bahia Palace should be it.
Ben Youssef Madrasa
Majorelle Gardens (Jardin Majorelle)
I was slightly disappointed with Majorelle garden considering the steep entry ticket, however as time progresses I look back with a certain kind of tenderness to the curated garden. Indeed the most curated garden I have walked in my life, barring the one a certain Tulip field Shah Jehangir had designed in Kashmir.
Jardin Majorelle stands out with its use of the intense ultramarine blue against a stark contrast of the Lilly pond, protruding cacti and ample sunlight. There is a Berber museum as well, which charges you a little more for entry.
The price rose up as YSL rebranded the museum. You need to prebook a timed entry ticket. I guess they did it to contain excessive footfall, especially with the
Try Moroccan Wine
And I do not mean Moroccan mint tea!
The French influenced the Maroc in varied ways. One of them is by production of wine! The steppes of Atlas is home of some of the finest wine producing grapes.
The Moroccan wine we tried was named Rommane . I really liked it!
La Maison de la Photographie
Dar Si Said
Dar Si Said houses some of the finest carpets and weaving exhibits of the country. Most are sourced from the deep of the desert, where Nomadic tribes value them as such as cattle. I am talking about the women.
Nomad Cafe Rooftop
Trip advisor made me do it and I am no qualms about it.
Probably the most beautiful and calm rooftop in the whole of Marrakesh serving delicious lamb chops and a really good date palm cake.
You need to book a seat here a little ahead.
Things to eat in Marrakesh
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