When I visited Marrakesh, along with my nephews, two weeks ago I would have to agree that it is certainly the peak tourist time. Even during the day the
Djemma el-
Fna was packed. That is not something I have seen before. While wandering in the
medina were lots of tour groups. Hopefully all these visitors and the money they bring in is providing some spin offs to the local Moroccans.
Whilst there we visited the normal tourist haunts, the
Saadien Tombs - it sure is hard to believe they were "forgotten" about for a few hundred years; the ruins of the
Badi Palace, the wonderful architecture and
craftsmanship on display in the Bahia Palace, the Marrakesh Museum and the stunningly beautiful Ali
ben Youssef Medersa. I find the carved white plasterwork, the contrasting dark brown cedar wood and the small arched windows that overlook the central courtyard a photographer's delight. So of course, I took just a few more photos! (There is one below.) Best of all is the cheap entrance fee, 10
Dirham per place except for the
medersa, museum and
quobba which cost 60
dirham for the three. Still cheap though.
As I hadn't been before, one of the highlights was a visit to the colourful
Majorelle Gardens, just outside the walls of the
medina. Here electric blue combines with buttercup yellow and leaf green on the painted buildings, window frames, pots and fountains contrast with the dull green of the dominant cacti in the garden and the crimson of the cascading
bougainvillea. There is also a small museum, which includes some lovely art works by the garden's designer, Jacques
Majorelle, along with Berber jewellery, textiles and carpets. Mind you the 30
dirham entrance fee to the garden and an extra 15 to the museum make a visit expensive by Moroccan standards, however it is a place of calmness, shade and serenity, thus providing respite from the hustle and bustle outside. Once owned by Yves St. Laurent who has a house next door, I believe it has recently been returned to the people of Marrakesh. Here are a few photos (I did take quite a lot!).
Whilst there we visited the normal tourist haunts, the Saadien Tombs - it sure is hard to believe they were "forgotten" about for a few hundred years; the ruins of the Badi Palace, the wonderful architecture and craftsmanship on display in the Bahia Palace, the Marrakesh Museum and the stunningly beautiful Ali ben Youssef Medersa. I find the carved white plasterwork, the contrasting dark brown cedar wood and the small arched windows that overlook the central courtyard a photographer's delight. So of course, I took just a few more photos! (There is one below.) Best of all is the cheap entrance fee, 10 Dirham per place except for the medersa, museum and quobba which cost 60 dirham for the three. Still cheap though.
As I hadn't been before, one of the highlights was a visit to the colourful Majorelle Gardens, just outside the walls of the medina. Here electric blue combines with buttercup yellow and leaf green on the painted buildings, window frames, pots and fountains contrast with the dull green of the dominant cacti in the garden and the crimson of the cascading bougainvillea. There is also a small museum, which includes some lovely art works by the garden's designer, Jacques Majorelle, along with Berber jewellery, textiles and carpets. Mind you the 30 dirham entrance fee to the garden and an extra 15 to the museum make a visit expensive by Moroccan standards, however it is a place of calmness, shade and serenity, thus providing respite from the hustle and bustle outside. Once owned by Yves St. Laurent who has a house next door, I believe it has recently been returned to the people of Marrakesh. Here are a few photos (I did take quite a lot!).
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