Marrakech
The original name of the city of Marrakech, "Morkach" gave its name to Morocco. Nichée entre les montagnes du Haut Atlas et le désert du Sahara, Marrakech « la rouge » est une ville d'histoire où l'on se promène de somptueux palais en mosquées hispano-mauresques, de jardins féeriques en souks animés. Le printemps est sans doute la plus belle saison pour visiter Marrakech. Nestled between the mountains of the High Atlas and the Sahara desert, Marrakech "red" is a historic city where you walked sumptuous palace in Hispano-Moorish mosques, gardens into magical animated souks. Spring is without Perhaps the most beautiful time to visit Marrakech. Et le moyen le plus agréable de s'y loger reste le riad (chambre ou maison d'hôtes). And the most pleasant stay there remains the riad (room or guest house).
Medina
Listed as World Heritage Site by Unesco, the Medina is the soul of Marrakech. Empruntez les ruelles sinueuses et partez à la découverte de ses secrets, des riad marrakech , et de leurs jardins intérieurs. Take the winding streets and set off to discover its secrets, riad marrakech, and their gardens.
Jemaa
el Fna
In this place, beats the heart of the city. On avance entre les touristes, les conteurs, les charmeurs de serpents, les jongleurs, les musiciens et les cantines ambulantes. It is argued among tourists, storytellers, snake charmers, jugglers, musicians and mobile canteens. Un tourbillon permanent, enchanteur et bon enfant. A whirlwind permanent charming and friendly.
Souk
A must. Expect a festival sensation of shimmering fabrics scented spices, through the refinement of art and talent of pastry.
Architectural treasures
Stop rigor to the Koutoubia, the Ben Youssef madrasa and the mosque El Mouassine, real gems. We will also see the twelfth-century walls, pierced by majestic doors, the Bahia Palace and the Palace Badi, two outstanding monuments.
The gardens, breathing city.
Finally, what would Marrakech without its oasis of greenery? Jardin de la Menara, the Agdal and Majorelle ... Walk through these places of dream and let yourself be surprised by their unique charm.
History
Simple camp caravan for centuries, the birth place of Marrakech in 1062 under the leadership of Yusuf ibn Tachfine, 1st ruler of the dynasty Almoravid.
Became the capital of the kingdom, many mosques and madrasas (Koranic schools of theology) are constructed. Marrakech grows rapidly and becomes a cultural and religious influence and a commercial center for the Maghreb and black Africa. The walls were built to protect the city.
This compound did not prevent the Almohad to seize the city in 1147. After the last Almoravids destroyed and razed virtually all the monuments, these supporters of a hardline Islamic erected, in turn, palaces and religious buildings. The famous Koutoubia mosque, the symbol of Marrakech, was built at that time on the ruins of the palace Almoravid. The irrigation system of the city was upgraded 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 Merinid captured Marrakech at the expense of the last Almohad. The advent of sound Marinids decline Marrakech loses its status as capital in favor of his rival, Fez. The city falls into a lethargy.
In the early sixteenth century a new dynasty needed to Morocco. Saadien Sultan Mohammed El Mahdi, relocate the capital of the kingdom in Marrakech. The city is reborn and quickly reaches its peak. The fabulous wealth amassed by the Sultans can embellish Marrakech. Monuments in ruins are restored and luxurious 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 Saadians. Sultan Moulay Ismail, a contemporary of Louis XIV, dreams of a "Versailles of Morocco. The throne is successively moved 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 French protectorate in Morocco put an end to this anarchy. In 1956, the return from exile of King Mohammed V will be celebrated in Marrakech and in the rest of the country.
