For me, Marrakech is special because of the carnival-like atmosphere of the square at night. But it does have some brick-and-mortar sights to see. So, that’s what I did today.
Marrakech Museum
After breakfast on the terrace, I wandered through the souq to the far end where the museum was located. It had an impressive interior and I thought it would have made a great home for some rich bastard 🙂
Well it turns out that it was a palace from the 19th Century, known as the Dar Mnebhi Palace.
In terms of displays, it is an art museum. It has a collection of historical books, coins and pottery of various Moroccan cultures eg. Berber, Jewish and Islamic. For me, the building and architecture was more of a draw than the exhibits.
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- Juice carts on the square.
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- Inside Marrakech Museum.
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- Inside Marrakech Museum.
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- Inside Marrakech Museum.
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- Inside Marrakech Museum.
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- Slippers for sale on the streets.
Kouba Ba’adyn
Next I went to the Kouba Ba’adyn (also spelt Qubba Ba’adiyyin amongst other ways).
This 10th Century monument/ pavilion is notable for its extraordinary decoration and for being one of the only remnants of Almoravid architecture in Marrakech.
The dome (kouba) shelters a water basin. The surrounding ruins have features that are related to water: eg. fountains, cisterns, drainage etc. These have led to historians concluding that the site had origins as an ablution to the nearby Ben Youssef mosque.
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- Kouba Ba’adyn
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- Kouba Ba’adyn
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- Kouba Ba’adyn
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- In the souqs and streets of Marrakech.
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- In the souqs and streets of Marrakech.
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- In the souqs and streets of Marrakech.
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- Water seller.
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- Water seller.
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- Snake charmer. Always pay the snake charmer the asking price for the photo. Or else!
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- Snakes waiting to be charmed.
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- Djema Al-Fna by day.
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- Djema Al-Fna by day.
Saadi Tombs
After lunch, I walked to the El Badi Palace. But I had trouble finding it. So I went to the Saadi Tombs instead.
These 14th Century tombs are located on the south side of the Kasbah Mosque, inside the royal kasbah (citadel) district of the city.
The intricate decorations were rather stunning and used two main techniques: carvings and mosaic tiling (zellij).
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- Arriving at the Saadi Tombs complex.
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- The Chamber of the Twelve Columns, is the most significant part of the complex.
El Badi Palace
With some help, I made it to the El Badi Palace. The walk took me through the mellah (Jewish Quarter).
The palace itself is largely ruined with various degrees of restoration. The the courtyard with it’s rectangular pools and gardens seem good as new though.
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- On the walls of the El Badi Palace.
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- Gardens and pools of the El Badi Palace.
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- Around the El Badi Palace.
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- Nest near the El Badi Palace.
Inhospitality
Late morning, in between sights, I followed up with my hotel as to whether a room with bathroom, had become available.
They replied that they had given it to other guests. Their attitude was actually quite unhelpful. I’m used to receiving genuine warmth and hospitality when I travel to places like Syria and Iran. What I get here is in stark contrast.
I think people are quite spoilt by tourism and probably seem foreigners as just money-on-legs. It’s nearly developed world prices for a third world environment.
Nightfall
After my sightseeing, I chilled back at the hotel around 1700 with an ice cream. People were starting to set up for the night trade. I took a pre-dinner walk to absorb the very special atmosphere before having dinner on the square again.
Without a bathroom, I retreated to the hammam again for my daily wash.
Stalls getting ready for the night.
Stalls in full swing at night.