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taboo5 | profile | all galleries >> Morocco >> Marrakech, Morocco (October 2007) tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Marrakech, Morocco (October 2007)

Marrakech is also known as the "Red City" or "Al Hamra” and is the major city of central Morocco located at the foot of the Atlas Mountains. It is one of Morocco's four Imperial Cities (the others are Rabat, Meknes and Fès). Marrakech’s medina was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1985. The famous Djemaa El-Fna square is famed for its liveliness and colorfulness that has not changed since medieval times. It is a riot of enticing colors, a cacophony of sounds and smells, with dancers, fire-eaters, acrobats, snake charmers, fortune-tellers, assorted riffraff and rows of food stalls with smoking barbecues, mouth-watering tajines and unappetizing entrails. Around this vast open space stretch the shadowy alleyways of the largest souk in Morocco, a huge marketplace selling herbs, potions, carpets, candles, jewelry, metalwork, spices and meat. Marrakech has long been an important crossroads and trading center for Arabic, Berber and black African civilizations. Yusif Ben Tashfin, the first ruler of the Almoradive dynasty, founded Marrakech in 1062. His son, Ali, built the Ben Yussef Mosque and the city wall. The Almohades (1146-1268) made Marrakech the capital of their empire, and it was during this period that the Koutoubia Mosque was built. The Merinids (1268-1520) neglected Marrakech, but they were succeeded by the Saadians (1520-1668) who endowed the city with the Al-Badi Palace, the Ben-Yussef Medrassa and the Saadian Tombs.
Marrakech, Morocco cover page.
Marrakech, Morocco cover page.		 Map of Morocco with the star indicating Marrakech.
Map of Morocco with the star indicating Marrakech.		 Background view of the Ali Ben Youssef Mosque, the oldest mosque in the medina of Marrakech.
Background view of the Ali Ben Youssef Mosque, the oldest mosque in the medina of Marrakech.		 View of the minaret of the mosque (constructed in the 12th century by the Almoravid sultan Ali Ben Youssef).
View of the minaret of the mosque (constructed in the 12th century by the Almoravid sultan Ali Ben Youssef).
The interior courtyard of the 16th century Medrassa Ben Youssef (a 12 year school for students).
The interior courtyard of the 16th century Medrassa Ben Youssef (a 12 year school for students).		 Fountain in the medrassa. To prove themselves, students had to wash 3 times at the fountain with only their right hand.
Fountain in the medrassa. To prove themselves, students had to wash 3 times at the fountain with only their right hand.		 Entrance door to the room of prayer at the medrassa.
Entrance door to the "room of prayer" at the medrassa.		 An elaborate cedar ceiling in the room of prayer.
An elaborate cedar ceiling in the room of prayer.
View of a beautiful ceiling in the medrassa. The architecture is a combination of Berber and Arabic.
View of a beautiful ceiling in the medrassa. The architecture is a combination of Berber and Arabic.		 Architectural details and mosaics in the Medrassa Ben Youssef.
Architectural details and mosaics in the Medrassa Ben Youssef.		 This is part of the room of ablutions (the washing area and public toilette used by the students).
This is part of the room of ablutions (the washing area and public toilette used by the students).		 Entrance to the area where the students slept.
Entrance to the area where the students slept.
A decorative support column in the medrassa.
A decorative support column in the medrassa.		 A view of the inside of a student's room with a reading table.
A view of the inside of a student's room with a reading table.		 A decorative skylight in the Medrassa Ben Youssef.
A decorative skylight in the Medrassa Ben Youssef.		 Interior fountain in the Marrakech Museum, located in a 19th century palace built by Mehdi Mnebhi, a former minister of defense.
Interior fountain in the Marrakech Museum, located in a 19th century palace built by Mehdi Mnebhi, a former minister of defense.
View of the interior of the big house of the palace (which is now the Marrakech Museum) with a large chandelier.
View of the interior of the "big house" of the palace (which is now the Marrakech Museum) with a large chandelier.		 In the summer months, the people lived in the downstairs of the palace because it is cooler.
In the summer months, the people lived in the downstairs of the palace because it is cooler.		 A beautiful chandelier and a seating area with mosaics in the background.
A beautiful chandelier and a seating area with mosaics in the background.		 A display of rugs in the Marrakech Museum from the sauna room.
A display of rugs in the Marrakech Museum from the sauna room.
There is red in all of the rugs because the colors signify the house that they are in.
There is red in all of the rugs because the colors signify the house that they are in.		 Chandelier and one of many beautiful ceilings seen in the museum and other buildings in Marrakech.
Chandelier and one of many beautiful ceilings seen in the museum and other buildings in Marrakech.		 Door with stained glass looking into the interior of the big house.
Door with stained glass looking into the interior of the big house.		 A tower of La Qoubba in Marrakech, which is an elaborate water system and cistern similar to what was used in Roman times.
A tower of La Qoubba in Marrakech, which is an elaborate water system and cistern similar to what was used in Roman times.
A view of La Qoubba along the side of the tower.
A view of La Qoubba along the side of the tower.		 The ornate interior ceiling of the tower of La Qoubba.
The ornate interior ceiling of the tower of La Qoubba.		 A pipe that leads into the cistern which is similar to what was used in Roman times.
A pipe that leads into the cistern which is similar to what was used in Roman times.		 Interior view of La Qoubba with underground chambers where water once flowed.
Interior view of La Qoubba with underground chambers where water once flowed.
The tour guide took me to the spice museum in Marrakech where they sold herbal medicines.
The tour guide took me to the spice museum in Marrakech where they sold herbal medicines.		 A view of the outside of the spice museum with the tour guide in the background.
A view of the outside of the spice museum with the tour guide in the background.		 Snake charmers in the biggest square in Marrakech called Place Djemaa El-Fna.
Snake charmers in the biggest square in Marrakech called Place Djemaa El-Fna.		 Close-up of the snake charmer at Place Djemaa El-Fna in Marrakech.
Close-up of the snake charmer at Place Djemaa El-Fna in Marrakech.
It cost me 20 Moroccan dirhams (about $2.50 U.S. dollars) to get this snake charmer's photo!
It cost me 20 Moroccan dirhams (about $2.50 U.S. dollars) to get this snake charmer's photo!		 More snake charmers in Place Djemaa El-Fna.
More snake charmers in Place Djemaa El-Fna.		 I went to a Moroccan pizza restaurant overlooking the square, which was ideal for taking photos.
I went to a Moroccan pizza restaurant overlooking the square, which was ideal for taking photos.		 View of some of the vending carts on Place Djemaa El-Fna.
View of some of the vending carts on Place Djemaa El-Fna.
A view looking down at Place Djemaa El-Fna below with a street lamp in the foreground.
A view looking down at Place Djemaa El-Fna below with a street lamp in the foreground.		 Many of the carts sold freshly squeezed orange juice, which was delicious.
Many of the carts sold freshly squeezed orange juice, which was delicious.		 More orange juice carts below.
More orange juice carts below.		 Close-up of an orange juice cart.
Close-up of an orange juice cart.
Crowds of people were standing in the square in front of the vending carts.
Crowds of people were standing in the square in front of the vending carts.		 View of a long line of vending carts in Place Djemaa El-Fna.
View of a long line of vending carts in Place Djemaa El-Fna.		 Some of the traffic of people and horse drawn carriages below.
Some of the traffic of people and horse drawn carriages below.		 The horse drawn carriages are mostly for tourists.
The horse drawn carriages are mostly for tourists.
It looks like an argument was ensuing between the carriage driver and this guy on a motorcycle!
It looks like an argument was ensuing between the carriage driver and this guy on a motorcycle!		 There was a lot of pedestrian traffic in the square that day.
There was a lot of pedestrian traffic in the square that day.		 These 2-wheeled carts are used to haul things in the medina. That's how I got my suitcases to the riad.
These 2-wheeled carts are used to haul things in the medina. That's how I got my suitcases to the riad.		 Two mysterious-looking women were engrossed in conversation.
Two mysterious-looking women were engrossed in conversation.
Exotic-looking Moroccan woman sitting in front of a colorful umbrella at Place Djemaa El-Fna.
Exotic-looking Moroccan woman sitting in front of a colorful umbrella at Place Djemaa El-Fna.		 View of Place Djemaa El-Fna at night from the balcony of the Moroccan pizza restaurant.
View of Place Djemaa El-Fna at night from the balcony of the Moroccan pizza restaurant.		 People strolling in front of the orange juice stands.
People strolling in front of the orange juice stands.		 Close-up of the orange juice stands at night.
Close-up of the orange juice stands at night.
Me sitting on a wall of the Moroccan pizza restaurant overlooking Place Djemaa El-Fna.
Me sitting on a wall of the Moroccan pizza restaurant overlooking Place Djemaa El-Fna.		 People shopping at a stand that sold fruit and nuts.
People shopping at a stand that sold fruit and nuts.		 Close-up of the fruit and nuts stand at Place Djemaa El-Fna.
Close-up of the fruit and nuts stand at Place Djemaa El-Fna.		 People quenching their thirst at the orange juice stand.
People quenching their thirst at the orange juice stand.
Chefs preparing food at a food concession stand in Place Djemaa El-Fna.
Chefs preparing food at a food concession stand in Place Djemaa El-Fna.		 A couple having a drink in the square.
A couple having a drink in the square.		 These musicians were performing in Place Djemaa El-Fna at night.
These musicians were performing in Place Djemaa El-Fna at night.		 A Moroccan lamp shop with illuminated lamps off of the square.
A Moroccan lamp shop with illuminated lamps off of the square.
An atmospheric view of Place Djemaa El-Fna with a myriad of acetylene lamps glowing at night.
An atmospheric view of Place Djemaa El-Fna with a myriad of acetylene lamps glowing at night.		 View of the minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque at night, the tallest (70 meters) and most famous landmark in Marrakech.
View of the minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque at night, the tallest (70 meters) and most famous landmark in Marrakech.		 Side view at night of the minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque. It is the one that is visible from Place Djemaa El-Fna.
Side view at night of the minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque. It is the one that is visible from Place Djemaa El-Fna.		 View of the minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakech during the daytime. Only Muslims are permitted to enter it.
View of the minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakech during the daytime. Only Muslims are permitted to enter it.
The minaret, like the mosque, is a jewel of Almohad art, built for Abd al-Mumim and finished by Yakub al Mansur (1184-1189).
The minaret, like the mosque, is a jewel of Almohad art, built for Abd al-Mumim and finished by Yakub al Mansur (1184-1189).		 It is built of pink sandstone and is known as the book vendors' mosque because more than 200 bookstore stands surround it.
It is built of pink sandstone and is known as the book vendors' mosque because more than 200 bookstore stands surround it.		 Bahia Palace which was built by Si Moussa, the prime minister of king Sidi Mohamed Ben Abderrahman, and by his son Ba Ahmed.
Bahia Palace which was built by Si Moussa, the prime minister of king Sidi Mohamed Ben Abderrahman, and by his son Ba Ahmed.		 View of some of the architectural details in the receiving area (courtyard) of the palace, which was built in the 19th century.
View of some of the architectural details in the receiving area (courtyard) of the palace, which was built in the 19th century.
Fireplace with beautiful mosaics in the living area where the prime minister lived.
Fireplace with beautiful mosaics in the living area where the prime minister lived.		 View of the fountain in the courtyard, which has been redone since the time when the prime minister lived there.
View of the fountain in the courtyard, which has been redone since the time when the prime minister lived there.		 This is the receiving room in Bahia Palace where the prime minister met dignitaries.
This is the receiving room in Bahia Palace where the prime minister met dignitaries.		 A view of the ceiling in the receiving room. All of the ceilings in the palace are magnificent and different.
A view of the ceiling in the receiving room. All of the ceilings in the palace are magnificent and different.
Here is another magnificent ceiling in Bahia Palace with exquisite colors and inlay work.
Here is another magnificent ceiling in Bahia Palace with exquisite colors and inlay work.		 And here is yet another gorgeous ceiling in the palace!
And here is yet another gorgeous ceiling in the palace!		 This room was reserved for the 4 wives of the first prime minister who lived in Bahia Palace.
This room was reserved for the 4 wives of the first prime minister who lived in Bahia Palace.		 In 1933, the law changed so that the prime minister can only have 2 wives (if both wives agree to it).
In 1933, the law changed so that the prime minister can only have 2 wives (if both wives agree to it).
Detail of a door off of the room that was reserved for the 4 wives of the first prime minister.
Detail of a door off of the room that was reserved for the 4 wives of the first prime minister.		 Detail of a ceiling over the room of the first prime minister's favorite wife.
Detail of a ceiling over the room of the first prime minister's favorite wife.		 Another beautiful ceiling in the palace.
Another beautiful ceiling in the palace.		 Another ceiling close-up in the Bahia Palace in Marrakech.
Another ceiling close-up in the Bahia Palace in Marrakech.
Outdoor courtyard where events and festivals took place in the Bahia Palace.
Outdoor courtyard where events and festivals took place in the Bahia Palace.		 Ornate door off of the courtyard.
Ornate door off of the courtyard.		 Internal garden for the wives of the prime minister. The wives were not allowed outside the palace.
Internal garden for the wives of the prime minister. The wives were not allowed outside the palace.		 This room was a study for student lessons held in the palace.
This room was a study for student lessons held in the palace.
The ornate ceiling above the study area.
The ornate ceiling above the study area.		 This smaller room off of the study was a room for the professor who taught the lessons.
This smaller room off of the study was a room for the professor who taught the lessons.		 Ceiling over the apartment of the prime minister (where he would break in his wives). The stained glass is in the Iraqi style.
Ceiling over the apartment of the prime minister (where he would break in his wives). The stained glass is in the Iraqi style.		 Exterior view of the Saadian Tombs, which came into being when Sultan Moulay Ahmed al-Mansur buried his mother there in 1591.
Exterior view of the Saadian Tombs, which came into being when Sultan Moulay Ahmed al-Mansur buried his mother there in 1591.
The tombs are arranged in two separate mausoleums that overlook a garden. The tombs were discovered in 1917.
The tombs are arranged in two separate mausoleums that overlook a garden. The tombs were discovered in 1917.		 Each rectangle represents a different person. Entire families are buried here.
Each rectangle represents a different person. Entire families are buried here.		 Interior of one of the mausoleums of the Saadian Tombs.
Interior of one of the mausoleums of the Saadian Tombs.		 Another room in one of the mausoleums.
Another room in one of the mausoleums.
This room is considered to be a masterpiece of Hispano-Moresque art and is known as the room of 12 columns.
This room is considered to be a masterpiece of Hispano-Moresque art and is known as "the room of 12 columns."		 All of the columns are made of Carrara marble.
All of the columns are made of Carrara marble.		 The exquisite gold ceiling of this mausoleum is also noteworthy.
The exquisite gold ceiling of this mausoleum is also noteworthy.		 View of the Saadian Tombs as I was leaving. They are made of stucco which was originally white, but changed color due to dust.
View of the Saadian Tombs as I was leaving. They are made of stucco which was originally white, but changed color due to dust.
View of the large pool in the Menara Gardens, which is known for its mineral waters.
View of the large pool in the Menara Gardens, which is known for its mineral waters.		 People of Marrakech used to come here to bathe since it was supposed to have curative effects.
People of Marrakech used to come here to bathe since it was supposed to have curative effects.		 The large pool reflects the pavilion, which was built around 1866 allegedly for the Sultan to woo his mistress!
The large pool reflects the pavilion, which was built around 1866 allegedly for the Sultan to woo his mistress!		 Another view of the pavilion and of the Menara Pool.
Another view of the pavilion and of the Menara Pool.
My tour guide drove me by these camels in their natural habitat in Marrakech.
My tour guide drove me by these camels in their natural habitat in Marrakech.		 The last thing that I saw on my tour was the seven monuments to the seven saints of Marrakech.
The last thing that I saw on my tour was the seven monuments to the seven saints of Marrakech.

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Eagle Eyes 13-Nov-2007 07:11
As with your other albums, you have captured the essence of what Morrocco is really like: the culture, the people and their lives. Your photos are amazing! Keep up the great work. I hope to see more awe inspiring photos of your travels in the future!
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