Tourist Attractions in Marrakech, Morocco, Part 2

In this blog I will continue presenting the best tourist attractions in Marrakech. There is no doubt that only a day will not be enough to see all of them. That’s why, I offer you to stay in some of the Marrakech hotels. In this way you guarantee your memorable experience there.

1.     Ben Youssef Madrassa

The Ben Youssef Madrassa was an Islamic college in Marrakech named after Sultan Ali ibn Yusuf who expanded the city considerably. This madrassa was one of the largest theological colleges in North Africa and may have housed as many as 900 students. After being closed down in 1960, this Historical Site was refurbished and reopened in 1982, an interesting attraction for the value of its past and educational influence.

2.     The Museum of Marrakech

The Museum of Marrakech is located in the Dar Menebhi Palace, built at the end of the 19th century by legendary Mehdi Menebhi, in the old centre of Marrakech. The palace was restored by the Omar Benjelloun Foundation and converted into a museum in 1997. The house itself is representative of classical Andalusian architecture, with fountains in the central courtyard, carvings and beautiful tiles. The museum holds exhibits of both modern and traditional Moroccan art, as well as historical books, coins and pottery.

3.     Bab Agnaou

Bab Agnaou is one of the 19 gates of Marrakech and was built in the 12th century, in the time of the Almohad dynasty. The function of the gate may have been nationally symbolic; the corner-pieces are decorated with floral decorations, framed by three panels with inscriptions from the Quran. Bab Agnaou forms the entrance to the royal kasbah in southern Marrakech. The kasbah, built by the Almohad sultan Yaqub al-Mansour, is home to the El Mansouria mosque, the El Badi Palace and the Saadian Tombs.

4.     Majorelle Garden

The Majorelle Garden is a botanical garden designed by the French artist Jacques Majorelle in 1924, during the colonial period when Morocco was a protectorate of France. Previous owners have included Pierre Bergé and Yves Saint-Laurent (whose ashes were scattered there when he died in 2008). The garden is also home to the Islamic Art Museum of Marrakech, whose collection includes North African textiles from Saint-Laurent's personal collection and paintings by Majorelle. The garden has more than 15 bird species endemic to North Africa.

5.     Souks

Marrakech is home to a labyrinth of bustling souks (workshops and markets) offering the city's most fascinating wares. Whether shopping or exploring, they are a must for any visitor. At the northern end of the souks, best accessed from the Ben Youssef Mosque, has blacksmiths making wrought-iron goods and the distinct odour of leather workshops. The stalls emerge further south and are met by the Rahba Kedima, a market famous for its bizarre offerings of animals and eccentric potions for spells.

To sum up, I would say that there is much more that can be seen in Marrakech. If you still hesitate where to spend your holiday, Marrakech is the perfect destination for you, because it is not famous only for its beaches, there everyone can find something for themselves and will remember the time spent in Marrakech forever.