24 Hours of Magic from your Boutique Hotel in Marrakech (Part 3)

Travel & Leisure

  • Author Gonzalez David
  • Published February 23, 2011
  • Word count 610

We shall start the third part of our itinerary in the Kasbah of Marrakech, where we will find the "Mellah" or Jewish quarter of the city. If you are still not fully satisfied with your shopping in the souks, there are countless shops in this part of the city where you can get all sorts of products. In any case, we recommend a visit to the most important monuments in the Kasbah.

In fact, you will find in this neighbourhood the Saadian tombs, a funerary monument surrounded by beautiful gardens where several generations of the Saadian dynasty are buried. It is actually a small historic site, so you will be able to enjoy it without having to spend too much time, since we are here planning an express visit of Marrakech.

Then we get to a difficult moment in our day, since we must choose between two beautiful palaces: the El Badi and the El Bahia palaces. They are both so beautiful that you could even decide to stay one more day just to get a chance to visit them both and not have to renounce to any of them. In any case, and if it is impossible for you to stay any longer, we shall describe them both so you can choose which one you want to visit.

The El Badi Palace was built in the 16th century and it is arranged in a series of pavilions. This monument, despite the fact that it is practically in ruins, constitutes one of the most striking sights in Marrakech, mostly thanks to the imposing space of the central patio and to the beauty and the robustness of its walls. It is a unique opportunity to use your imagination and travel back to the times when the El Badi was a grandiose palace. There isn’t any furniture inside the palace, but you can visit the minbar, a sculpted wooden pulpit where the imam used to stand to deliver sermons.

We have a special recommendation for you: if you decide to visit this palace, we recommend you to do it at sunset, right at the time of the call to prayer, and to go to the top of the wall, on the first floor. From there you will enjoy an incredible sunset as well as the sight and sound of dozens of minarets delivering a truly breathtaking spiritual call in chorus.

On the other hand, the El Bahia Palace is much more modern than the El Badi Palace. It is a 19th century building reminiscent of the Andalusian palaces of other times such as the Alcazar in Seville or even (up to a point) the Alhambra in Granada. In short, it is a typical monument of civil Arab architecture in which the patios, the vegetation in the gardens and the fountains are of great importance.

As a matter of interest, we could point out that the whole palace is a one-storey building because the vizier Ahmed Ben Moussa (who commissioned the construction of the palace) had such obesity problems that he was prevented from climbing stairs.

And as coda to such an exhausting –and exciting- day, right after the visit to the palace, we will head to the Djemaa El Fna square to enjoy a pleasant dinner and the shows celebrated there every night. As a menu, you can choose the countless dishes at the stalls in the square or in one of the restaurants in the area.

Marrakech is thus an amazing city that definitely deserves a visit, no matter how short it may be. It offers a fascinating atmosphere that combines Oriental luxury and charm with European comfort and elegance.

Stay in a boutique hotel in Marrakech and you will enjoy a unique opportunity to discover one of the most amazing cities in the world in an absolutely unique setting, or in a spa hotel in Marrakech for an unforgettable holiday of luxury and pleasure.

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