Founded in 1062 by Youssef Ibn Tachfin the Almoravid dynasty, the city now has 700,000 residents. Third largest city by population Morocco, Marrakech remains the tourist capital of the country.
Famous the world over for its palm and its minaret, this city is a live show where men and local folklore are skillfully staged in a medieval setting. A important cultural heritage of monuments and museum quality. Magic!
History of Marrakech
Simple caravan camp for centuries, the birth of Marrakech takes place in 1062 under the leadership of Ibn Youssef Tashufin, the first ruler of the Almoravid dynasty.
Became the capital of the kingdom, many mosques and madrassas (Koranic schools of theology) are built. Marrakech grew rapidly and became a cultural and religious center and a shopping mall affect the Maghreb and black Africa. The walls were built to protect the city.
The enclosure did not prevent the Almohades to seize the city in 1147 after having exterminated the last Almoravids and razed almost all of the monuments, the supporters of hardline Islam erected, in turn, palaces and religious buildings. The famous Koutoubia Mosque, a symbol of Marrakech, was built at that time on the ruins of the palace Almoravid. The irrigation system of the city was perfected to supply the palm trees and large gardens. The cultural influence of Marrakech attracted many artists and writers, especially from Andalusia.
In 1269, the clan of nomadic mérinides seizes Marrakech at the expense of the last Almohad. The advent of sound Marinids decline Marrakesh lost its status as capital in favor of his rival, Fez. The city falls into a lethargy.
In the early sixteenth century, a new dynasty was imposed in Morocco. The Saadian sultan, Mohammed El Mahdi, reinstalls the capital of the kingdom in Marrakech. The city reborn and quickly peaked. The fabulous wealth amassed by the Sultans used to embellish Marrakech. Of ruined monuments are restored and sumptuous palaces were built.
Again, Marrakech will lose its status as capital. At the end of the seventeenth century, the current successor to the Alawite dynasty Saadian. Sultan Moulay Ismail, a contemporary of Louis XIV, dreams of a "Versailles" Moroccan. The throne is successively transferred to Fez and Meknes, new imperial city.
In the early twentieth century, the city experienced several years of civil war. In 1912, the establishment of the French protectorate in Morocco ends this anarchy. In 1956, the return from exile of King Mohammed V will be celebrated in Marrakech and in the rest of the country.
Marrakech cinema
Many films that have benefited sublime scenery Marrakech. Mamma Mia! Pierce Brosnan or another register The Mummy with Brendan Fraser, were shot in the city of Marrakech.
Useful information
Many tourists go to Marrakech and many sellers, not always honest benefit. Sometimes it is painful to be addressed 10 or more times in the same day.
In summer, the heat can be unbearable. Beware of sunstroke!
transport
by plane
Marrakech city has two airports.
Marrakech Menara Airport is located about 6 miles south of downtown. There is no bus service to the city center. A taxi costs 100 Dirhams (negotiable!) About 10 euros. There are many international flights notably Paris, Lyon and Strasbourg.
The second airport is outside the city, about 26 km. The transfer by taxi to the city costs about 300 Dirhams (about 30 ??). Regular and charter flights are available from major European cities with very favorable price.
by car
We can also come to Morocco by car. Once through the Strait of Gibraltar, you will take a day's drive to reach Marrakech (Tangier - Marrakech: 650 km).
Tangier to Casablanca, most of the journey is motorway (4-5 hours). Finally, count 3 hours to travel 225 km between Casablanca to Marrakech.
However, we can only advise you to do the steps on this journey Tanger - Marrakech. It would be a shame not to stop and admire the beauty of some cities!
by train
The train is the best way to travel between major cities, for a price close to the bus tour. Indeed, the Moroccan railway network, operated by ONCF, is one of the best in Africa. Each train has two classes. Lower class tickets are not sold to tourists. The seats can not be reserved and simply buy your ticket at the station. Keep your tickets because they are controlled during the journey and recovered at the destination station. Children under 4 travel free.
If you have decided to come by train from France, you have to go down to Algeciras in the extreme south of Spain. Once through the Strait of Gibraltar by ferry, you get to Tangier. Welcome to Morocco! Go to Tangier station (at the entrance of the city, on the road to Tetouan). We advise you to take the night sleeper train from Tangier to 23h and arrived in Marrakech at 8:40 am the next day. Warning: travelers asleep sometimes wake up without their luggage ... Vigilance!
coach
The bus trip can be considered extreme solution to Morocco. Not allowed for long trips because the small to extend the legs and the heat that prevails in summer space make the trip uncomfortable. However, this solution is the cheapest, it will have the merit to see the country and will get to know the Moroccans.
We recommend the CTM (Moroccan Transport Company) and SATAS (private company), which offer faster scheduled service. Do not be fooled by the many touts around you venteront of the merits of this or that private companies bus stations. You could wait several hours for the bus to fill besides safety standards there would rarely be met: uncomfortable seats, poor brakes, suspension nonexistent unconscious pilot and eager to arrive as quickly as possible ...
MONUMENTS
Founded there about 1000 years, Marrakech has an unusual history. Many times capital of the kingdom, alternating periods of glory and profound lethargy, the city has suffered and enjoyed the different influences that have marked his past.
There are so many treasures to be discovered it would take an entire guide in Marrakech. However, far from being exhaustive, we recommend visiting the famous monuments, museums and places listed below.
City tour
Must literally, you will have to pass the ramparts of Marrakech. Indeed, the "Red City" got its nickname of 19 km ocher walls that surround the medina.
A necessary step, to do even if you only stay one day: visit the souks and the medina. This is where you can really feel the magic of Marrakech. Inside the medina, lovers of architecture and history may, at their option, visit the superb Ben Youssef Madrasa, the Museum of Marrakech or the Kouba Ba 'Adiyn.
At the beginning or end of your tour of the medina, you have to go through the Jema El Fna, the true heart of the city. Lively place is the perfect place to enjoy a good orange juice and watch the live performance that awaits you.
500m from the square stands the Koutoubia Mosque, the symbol of Marrakech. More than just 69 meters high minaret, the monument is famous for its beautiful ornamentation.
South of the old city, that is to say, 800m south of the Jemaa el Fna, you enter the palace district which have followed the various rulers of the city and the kingdom. To see: the Bahia Palace, the Saadian tombs and the fabulous El Badi Palace which only ruins remain.
Finally, the gardens of Marrakech will transport you into a world of calm and cool, that is to say the exact opposite of the Jemaa el Fna. The two most beautiful gardens in the city are the Menara garden, 800 years old and the Majorelle Gardens, built by French painter of the same name in the early twentieth century.
Useful information
In summer, the heat can be unbearable. Beware of sunstroke! A tip: do not over load the program of your days.
Marrakech-Menara Airport
The Marrakech-Menara Airport is an airport for international traffic located 3 km from Marrakech Maroc.Il is the 2nd airport in terms of traffic after the Casablanca Mohammed V Airport: on ... Read more
The Koutoubia Minbar
The Koutoubia minbar is a pulpit commissioned by Sultan Ali Ben Youssef. It was started in Cordoba in 1137 and completed eight years later. First installed in the mosque ... Read more
The walls of Marrakech
The city ramparts were built in the twelfth century under the Almoravid dynasty on the orders of Ali Ben Youssef to protect themselves from attacks by tribes of the High Atlas.
The Saadian Tombs
Saadian tombs were built in the late sixteenth century by Sultan Ahmed al-Mansur Saadi, head of Saadi. They are a masterpiece of Moorish art by refinement.
Koutoubia Mosque
The best known and most visible monument of the city, the "Koutoubia" Marrakech is what the Eiffel Tower is to Paris.
Bahia Palace
Built in the nineteenth century Bahia Palace belonged to the great master of the kingdom, Si Ahmed ben Musa, grand vizier of Sultan Moulay el Hassan and the first Moulay Abdel Aziz. The Bahia Palace.
Jemaa el Fna
True heart of Marrakech, the most famous square in the Maghreb is the social center of the medina. Place the liveliest in the city.
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