A short history and structure of Marrakech

Morocco has four Imperial Cities, so-called because each of them was once the capital city. The current capital is Rabat. Marrakech was the capital of Morocco twice and is the fourth largest city in the country, after Casablanca, Fez and Tangier.

Marrakech was founded in 1062 by the leader of the Berber Moroccan Almoravid empire dynasty Yusuf ibn Tashfin. Since then, the red city has achieved periods of great splendour, interrupted by repeated political struggles. In the 16 century, the Saadian dynasty created the most beautiful monuments of Marrakech: the Saadian Tombs, the El Badi Palace and several fountains of the Medina.
In 1631, the Arab Alaouites dynasty, the current Moroccan royal family, took over the country and moved the capital to Fes. Several essential sites, including El Badi palace, were disassembled and moved to Fez. The new ruler Sultan Moulay Ismail also sealed the famous Saadian tombs, hiding them from the public until they were rediscovered at the beginning of the XX century.

STRUCTURE OF MARRAKECH

Around one million Moroccans live in Marrakech, among many expats, primarily French. Foreigners invest in Morocco, build new hotels and expand the city lines. Recently, many new places opened on the roads to Ourika Valley, Ouarzazate, Fez etc.

In the city’s northern section, towards the highway to Fez, is my favourite sunset spot – the Palmeraie palm grove. An area of 140 km2 is covered with around 100,000 date palms.

Nearby, the Menara Gardens, the modern Hivernage district, is known for nightlife, with a casino, cocktail lounges, hotel dance clubs and chic global restaurants with live music.

Related topics:

• Morocco
• Marrakech
• the El Badi Palace
• Medina
• history