Menara lake and Menara gardens are to the west of Marrakech. They were built in the 12th century (c. 1130) by Abd al-Mu'min.
The pavilion was built during the 16th century Saadi dynasty and renovated in 1869. The pavilion and an artificial lake are surrounded by orchards and olive groves.
The Menara Gardens, with 40 varieties of olive tree, were for a long time the romantic meeting-place of sultans.
The lake is supplied with water from a system dating back over 700 years, which channels water from the mountains over 30 kms away.
It also helps irrigate the olive grove.