Marrakesh, a former imperial city in western Morocco, is a major economic center and home to mosques, palaces and gardens. The medina is a densely packed, walled medieval city dating to the Berber Empire, with mazelike alleys where thriving souks (marketplaces) sell traditional textiles, pottery and jewelry. A symbol of the city, and visible for miles, is the Moorish minaret of 12th-century Koutoubia Mosque. Via WikiPedia
A monument to Moroccan mâalems (master artisans), the residence of Bou Ahmed’s brother Si Said is home to the Museum of Moroccan Arts. On display is a collection of granary doors, Tuareg leather bags, ceramics, embroidery, carpets, weaponry, and Berber jewellery within its salons. The highlight of a visit here is the spectacular painted and domed wedding-reception chamber flanked by flower-painted musicians’ balconies; it’s credited to artisans from Fez.
The heartbeat of Marrakesh is undoubtedly the souks or markets of the medina in the old city. The biggest in all of Morocco, they are a honeycomb of connecting alleyways where all five senses are alive. There’s the whiff of lemons, mint, and olives, the flavor of nuts, figs, and apricots, and the dazzling eye-catching colors of intricate lanterns, leather bags and rich carpets. It’s here that you can take part in the pleasure of haggling—where stubbornness, creativity, and feigned disinterest come together as a form of art. (Try your hand at leaving and saying you’ll come back to immediately knock a few dirhams off the price.)
The Ben Youssef Madrasa was an Islamic college in Marrakesh, Morocco, named after the Almoravid sultan Ali ibn Yusuf, who expanded the city and its influence considerably. It is the largest madrasa in all of Morocco.
Medersa Ben Youssef. The Medersa was for more than four centuries a home for students in search of knowledge in various sciences, including theology. It had 132 rooms for non-Marrakesh students and could accommodate up to 900 students.
Founded in 1070–72 by the Almoravids, Marrakesh remained a political, economic and cultural centre for a long period. Its influence was felt throughout the western Muslim world, from North Africa to Andalusia. It has several impressive monuments dating from that period: the Koutoubiya Mosque, the Kasbah, the battlements, monumental doors, gardens, etc. Later architectural jewels include the Bandiâ Palace, the Ben Youssef Madrasa, the Saadian Tombs, several great residences and Place Jamaâ El Fna, a veritable open-air theatre.