Medina of Marrakesh is a fortified historical old city within modern-day Marrakesh, means “Land of God.” an Amazigh (originated from the Berber language) word. Located in the southwestern parts of Morocco, between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea and at the foothills of the Great Atlas mountains, it extend for 2 400 kilometers. The Medina of Marrakech is surrounded by a 28 km long ramparts built in 1126-27 to replace an earlier stockade of thorn bushes, that is 9 metres high and has 20 gates. It was registered World Heritage Site since 1985. The medina is an old Islamic capital founded in the 11th century, specifically around 1070-1072, for Almoravide and Almohade dynasties (1147-1269) and to which the city owes its original splendour. Over the centuries during the Almoravidian period the Marrakech Medina prospered and grew to become an influential cultural, economic and political center of Morocco and for the western Muslim world for a long period from North Africa to Andalusia.
It has several impressive monuments dating from the Almoravids period representing their power and influence over the Muslim world; The Koutoubiya Mosque a wonderful example of Muslim architecture. With the matchless minaret connected to the mosque of 77 metres hight which is a slender turret (an essential monument of Muslim architecture used by the muezzin to call during hours of prayer), built under the direction of Abd el-Mou’men, is one of the important landmarks of the urban landscape.
The Kasbah the symbol of the City, the battlements, the fortification, ramparts and monumental doors and gateways into the old city (in pinkish clay, like most of the original structures). Beyond the walls, the Medina of Marrakesh has ample areas of greenery natural environment (notably the Menara and Agdal gardens and the Palm Grove (Palmeraie) the plantation of which is attributed to the Almoravids). Later the town welcomed other architectural jewels include ; The Bandiâ Palace, the Ben Youssef Madrasa, the Saadian Tombs, several great residences, Bahia Palace, large residences and Place Jamaâ El Fna Square at the heart of Marrakech Medina inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, a veritable open-air theatre that can still be found today in the Medina of Marrakech that always amazes visitors. Due to its still protected, original and well-preserved conserved conception, its construction and decoration materials are in constant use. The Marrakech Medina has a traditional market square which start from Jemma el Fna square(Djemaa el Fna), it is not just the biggest souk in Morocco but the biggest and busiest market squares in Africa and throughout the world.
Another attraction which spreads around the old Marrakech medina and for centuries Marrakech has been known it’s ‘famous 7 Saints, or seven prominent figures (spiritual guardians and protectors) one for each day of the week. These sacred and spiritual buildings where these saints are buried, the holy people “Saints” people asking for their help or assistance, Visitors from all over the world come and visit the tombs of The seven saints whose tombs you can visit too include; Abdallah al-Ghazwani, known as: Moul El Ksour for Sunday. Sidi Abu al-Qasim Al-Suhayli, known as: Imam Souheilifor monday. Sidi Youssef Ben Ali known as: Abou Yaakoub Youssef ben Ali, for Tuesday. Cadi Ayyad Ben Moussad : known as: Cadi de Grenade”, for Wedneday. Sidi Bel Abbes known as: Abou el Abbas Ahmed ben Jaafar el Khazraji, (the patron saint of the city), for Thursday. Sidi Ben Slimane known as: Sidi Mohammed ben Slimane ben Said al Jazouli, for Friday, and finally Sidi Abd el Aziz al-Tebaa known as: Abou Fares Abdelaziz, for Saturday.
The Marrakech Medina is a fascinating old city to visit and worth a visit.
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