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Mysterious, Magical Marrakech -
Exotic Marrakech conjures up images of mysterious, magical market places, hot sun and exciting sounds and smells and you will find all this and much more in this wonderful holiday destination. Although geographically close to Europe it seems like a million miles away. Lying less than one hundred miles inland and with the majestic Atlas Mountains as a backdrop Marrakech together with Agadir are now Morocco’s two most popular holiday locations.
The history of Marrakech is fascinating as in common with many other cities and countries it has been fought over by rival clans mostly of Berber origin since the eleventh century and understanding the history will help make your holiday more enjoyable. These rival wars continued until the 1700’s when a time of stability and prosperity under the Alaouite sultans also brought peace to the region. During this time building work progressed and some of the finest buildings to be seen date from this period, when two cities, Marrakech and Fez shared the seat of government thus promoting more goodwill. The twentieth century saw the dominance of the French and whilst they were not welcomed by the local population and not only did they build the new town Guéliz, they also put in place the infrastructure still in use today. The present King Mohammed VI enjoys visiting Marrakech but the seat of government is now Rabat.
Apart from the New Town which will be familiar in its design and lay out this is not your usual European holiday. Forget Paris, London and Rome, this is a city where a lot of its beauty is hidden but there are palaces, tombs and wonderful gardens for you to enjoy. Marrakech is not a fast moving city, modern cars have to take there place in the traffic together with horse drawn carriages and carts not forgetting the many bicycles.
The medina or the Old Town is the place to visit and in the main square you will find the Koutoubia Mosque’s minaret which was built in the twelfth century and indeed it is still used today for calling the faithful to prayer. The Mosque and Minaret are closed to non-Muslims but the beautiful surrounding area is available for you to enjoy and look for the ruins of an even earlier mosque.
The general meeting place of the Medina is the Jemaa El Fna just east of the minaret and it is also the entrance to the souk (market) which as might be expected is busy, noisy and fun, once you adapt to the atmosphere. Brightly coloured stalls selling figs, dates and nuts and the feeling is very much one of a medieval market, with sellers wandering the streets with local food and drink. You will see the cars, carriages, donkeys and bicycles which have brought the customers to the market and you will want to barter for your purchase which is perfectly acceptable. There is a ritual to the bartering whereby the seller will write his name on a piece of paper together with the asking price, this paper he will then hand to you. Once you have decided on an opening bid you write your name on the paper and the amount you are offering. This paper then goes backward and forward between the seller and the customer until agreement is reached. As a rule of thumb you can expect to pay about one third of the original asking price.
Although it seems like just one market in fact it is divided into separate markets dealing with different items from silk rugs to slipper to lizards and live chameleons. Guides are available to hire unless you are confident to wander on your own but do not miss three of the most important sites in Marrakech all within the area of the souk all of which are open to non-Muslims. The Ben Youssef Medersa which is attached to a mosque bearing the same name has origins dating from the fourteenth century and the structure was completed in its present form in the sixteenth century. There are carvings and Koranic inscriptions similar to those seen in the Alhambra Palace in Granada in Spain.
Inside there is the Koubba Ba’Adiyn which dates from the twelfth century and it is a small two storey pavilion made up by a series of supporting arches topped by a dome. This monument details the origins of the Moorish style. A collection of Moroccan art can be seen at the third venue which is a privately owned and run museum the Dar M’Nebhi. There is no comparison between the Old and New Towns and if you are limited for time then you would be well advised to concentrate on the Medina.
Lamb kebabs, pigeon in flaky pastry parcels chicken with lemon and olives couscous all make up the typical local cuisine with the national drink of mint tea being poured and drunk with great ceremony. Alcohol is available even though Morocco is a Muslim country and the locally produced wine is very good.
One thing is certain it is a holiday destination with a difference and will give the keen photographer plenty of opportunity to take many photographs of this exotic location.
Marrakech – Fact File
Currency: The currency in Marrakech is the dirham. Money can not be taken into or out of Morocco so change your money on arrival and keep all receipts for ease of converting any left over holiday money.
Getting Around: Petits and Grand Taxis are the best way to travel.
Religion: Marrakech is a Muslim country and whilst it is not necessary for women to be completely covered it is a sign of courtesy to dress respectfully. The Muslim Sabbath is on a Friday and building and banks might be closed all day or have certain opening hours but it is well to keep this in mind.
Language: Language spoken is Moroccan Arabic although almost half of the population speak French. English is understood in some places.
Article provided by kind permission of The Leader Newspaper
Exotic Marrakech conjures up images of mysterious, magical market places, hot sun and exciting sounds and smells and you will find all this and much more in this wonderful holiday destination. Although geographically close to Europe it seems like a million miles away. Lying less than one hundred miles inland and with the majestic Atlas Mountains as a backdrop Marrakech together with Agadir are now Morocco’s two most popular holiday locations.
The history of Marrakech is fascinating as in common with many other cities and countries it has been fought over by rival clans mostly of Berber origin since the eleventh century and understanding the history will help make your holiday more enjoyable. These rival wars continued until the 1700’s when a time of stability and prosperity under the Alaouite sultans also brought peace to the region. During this time building work progressed and some of the finest buildings to be seen date from this period, when two cities, Marrakech and Fez shared the seat of government thus promoting more goodwill. The twentieth century saw the dominance of the French and whilst they were not welcomed by the local population and not only did they build the new town Guéliz, they also put in place the infrastructure still in use today. The present King Mohammed VI enjoys visiting Marrakech but the seat of government is now Rabat.
Apart from the New Town which will be familiar in its design and lay out this is not your usual European holiday. Forget Paris, London and Rome, this is a city where a lot of its beauty is hidden but there are palaces, tombs and wonderful gardens for you to enjoy. Marrakech is not a fast moving city, modern cars have to take there place in the traffic together with horse drawn carriages and carts not forgetting the many bicycles.
The medina or the Old Town is the place to visit and in the main square you will find the Koutoubia Mosque’s minaret which was built in the twelfth century and indeed it is still used today for calling the faithful to prayer. The Mosque and Minaret are closed to non-Muslims but the beautiful surrounding area is available for you to enjoy and look for the ruins of an even earlier mosque.
The general meeting place of the Medina is the Jemaa El Fna just east of the minaret and it is also the entrance to the souk (market) which as might be expected is busy, noisy and fun, once you adapt to the atmosphere. Brightly coloured stalls selling figs, dates and nuts and the feeling is very much one of a medieval market, with sellers wandering the streets with local food and drink. You will see the cars, carriages, donkeys and bicycles which have brought the customers to the market and you will want to barter for your purchase which is perfectly acceptable. There is a ritual to the bartering whereby the seller will write his name on a piece of paper together with the asking price, this paper he will then hand to you. Once you have decided on an opening bid you write your name on the paper and the amount you are offering. This paper then goes backward and forward between the seller and the customer until agreement is reached. As a rule of thumb you can expect to pay about one third of the original asking price.
Although it seems like just one market in fact it is divided into separate markets dealing with different items from silk rugs to slipper to lizards and live chameleons. Guides are available to hire unless you are confident to wander on your own but do not miss three of the most important sites in Marrakech all within the area of the souk all of which are open to non-Muslims. The Ben Youssef Medersa which is attached to a mosque bearing the same name has origins dating from the fourteenth century and the structure was completed in its present form in the sixteenth century. There are carvings and Koranic inscriptions similar to those seen in the Alhambra Palace in Granada in Spain.
Inside there is the Koubba Ba’Adiyn which dates from the twelfth century and it is a small two storey pavilion made up by a series of supporting arches topped by a dome. This monument details the origins of the Moorish style. A collection of Moroccan art can be seen at the third venue which is a privately owned and run museum the Dar M’Nebhi. There is no comparison between the Old and New Towns and if you are limited for time then you would be well advised to concentrate on the Medina.
Lamb kebabs, pigeon in flaky pastry parcels chicken with lemon and olives couscous all make up the typical local cuisine with the national drink of mint tea being poured and drunk with great ceremony. Alcohol is available even though Morocco is a Muslim country and the locally produced wine is very good.
One thing is certain it is a holiday destination with a difference and will give the keen photographer plenty of opportunity to take many photographs of this exotic location.
Marrakech – Fact File
Currency: The currency in Marrakech is the dirham. Money can not be taken into or out of Morocco so change your money on arrival and keep all receipts for ease of converting any left over holiday money.
Getting Around: Petits and Grand Taxis are the best way to travel.
Religion: Marrakech is a Muslim country and whilst it is not necessary for women to be completely covered it is a sign of courtesy to dress respectfully. The Muslim Sabbath is on a Friday and building and banks might be closed all day or have certain opening hours but it is well to keep this in mind.
Language: Language spoken is Moroccan Arabic although almost half of the population speak French. English is understood in some places.
Article provided by kind permission of The Leader Newspaper
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