Tourism
2023-11-08
Discover the beauty of the Menara gardens in Marrakech
- Tourism
- 2023-11-08
Menara Gardens offers a tranquil haven from Marrakech's bustle. Menara Gardens offers stunning views of the Atlas Mountains, a rich historical background, and a magnificent natural setting.
It's a popular location for both families and couples, especially in the evening when the setting sun casts the area in a surreal golden and red glow.
The gardens have been drawing tourists for more than nine centuries and are close to the international airport.
Before making their way back, tourists should definitely visit this location.
The agricultural origins of the Menara gardens
Since the eighteenth century, when many olive trees were planted, the Menara gardens have served as a location for leisure and enjoyment of the natural world.
These olive trees have come to define the garden, along with an artificial lake.
Because of the infrastructure that was developed during the Almohad era, the lake has served as a source of irrigation for agriculture since the 12th century.
The water in the lake is from the Atlas Mountains, making this one of the garden's most striking features.
The Menara Pavilion, constructed by Sultan Sidi Mohammed in the sixteenth century, is situated next to the garden.
In 1869, the building underwent a significant restoration that included the addition of a green tile roof in the traditional pyramid shape.
Now that the complex has taken its name from a fortress's tower—"menara" means "tower"—the pavilion resembles that structure.
Explore the Menara gardens
More than 100 hectares of olive trees in perfect alignment can be found in Menara Gardens, a large olive grove.
Marrakech's green spaces are composed of numerous species of trees, shrubs, cypresses, and palms in addition to these trees.
There is not much shade in the garden, so visitors should go there early in the morning or late in the evening, especially on hot days.
On nice spring and fall days, as well as weekends, families and couples swarm the garden.
They bring picnics that are made with the most well-liked components of traditional Moroccan food, like khobz, pastillas, and maakoudas.
At 200 x 150 meters, Lake Menara is a sight to behold. Through an intricate system of canals, millions of liters of water from the Atlas Mountains are supplied to it.
More than thirty kilometers of underground galleries supply water to the lake and olive groves from outside of Marrakech.
Numerous hectares of other vegetation, including a section of vegetable gardens, are also irrigated by the lake.
The Menara Gardens are primarily known as a gorgeous setting for romantic photos, even though they were designed to serve as the center of an intricate irrigation system.
The setting of the garden was enhanced by the Pavillon des plaisirs, a pavilion by the lake.
Entering this harmonious two-story building, visitors will understand why several sultans picked this location for their romantic rendezvous in secret.
Mosaics, carved wood, plasterwork, and muqarna motifs adorn the walls, floors, and ceilings.
Getting to Menara Gardens
The Menara Gardens are easily accessible to tourists visiting Marrakech, with multiple ways to get there.
From Place Jemaa el Fna, you can walk to the closest garden entrance in thirty minutes, passing through some of the most opulent residential neighborhoods in the city.
To get to the closest entrance, you can also take city bus routes 11 and 12, a taxi, or a private vehicle.
A glimpse of the past
The Menara gardens have a stunning pavilion that faces the lake and is referred to as a "minzah" in Arabic.
The pavilion was originally built during the Saadi dynasty in the sixteenth century. In 1869, Moroccan Sultan Abderrahmane renovated it in the Alawite style.
The sultan would stay here in the summer and take in the amazing view of the surroundings.
The pavilion provides stunning views of the gardens and the snow-capped Atlas Mountains in the winter and spring. In other months, the olive trees steal the show with their vibrant green, pink, and black hues.
Gardens and surrounding landscape
The Menara Gardens are a group of tiny gardens encircling a sizable man-made lake.
The lake is positioned strategically at the confluence of multiple canal systems, and the water is used to irrigate the orchards and gardens nearby.
The gardens were designed to use the natural resources that are already there wisely.
There are many palm, olive, and fruit trees surrounding the pavilion and lake.
Many pickers and pruners are frequently seen working in the orchards, and some locals visit the gardens to fetch water from the nearby stream.
Local folklore holds that the stream brings "baraka," or good luck.
A calm spot to unwind, get in touch with nature, and take in the beauty of the surroundings is the Menara Gardens.
When to visit and how to get to Menara Gardens
There is no admission charge, and the Menara Gardens are open daily from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm.
The gardens are conveniently located for both walking and taking taxis, and you can always unwind and take your time exploring the grounds.
Discover the serenity of the Menara gardens
The Menara Gardens provide a peaceful haven amidst the busy streets of Marrakech.
The gardens, pavilion, and surrounding area provide a window into Morocco's natural beauty and rich history.
When you visit Menara Gardens, you can take in the breath-taking views, verdant orchards, and tranquil atmosphere that will help you feel renewed and refreshed.
