Marrakech assaults the senses in the best way possible. You probably picture snake charmers and endless markets when you hear the name. The city is a maze of history and modern luxury. It served as a major trading hub for centuries. Kings built massive palaces that still stand today. The light here is so unique that it inspired famous painters and fashion designers. Let’s explore the Red City.
Marrakech
Locals call Marrakech the Red City because of the beaten clay used for buildings. Consequently, the ramparts glow a distinct ochre color when the sun sets.
Storks are considered holy animals here. Remarkably, they build massive nests on top of palace walls. Furthermore, locals never disturb them because they believe birds bring good luck.
Yves Saint Laurent bought the Majorelle Garden to save it from a hotel project. Later, his partner scattered the designer’s ashes in the rose garden. Now, tourists visit the site to pay their respects.
Winston Churchill called Marrakech the most beautiful place in the world. Furthermore, he spent winters painting the Atlas Mountains from his hotel balcony. He even invited Franklin D. Roosevelt to enjoy the view.
Strict laws forbid any building from exceeding the height of the Koutoubia Mosque minaret. Therefore, the skyline remains low. This rule ensures the mosque remains the dominant landmark.
Traditional Riads have no windows facing the street. Instead, this design protects family privacy and keeps the interior cool. Inside, you usually find a peaceful courtyard with a fountain.
A jealous sultan walled up the Saadian Tombs to hide them. Eventually, French aerial photographers rediscovered the site centuries later in 1917. Today, it stands as a popular attraction.
Djemaa el-Fna stands as the busiest square in Africa. There, you see snake charmers, storytellers, and dentists pulling teeth outdoors. At night, the square transforms into a massive restaurant.
Alfred Hitchcock filmed scenes for The Man Who Knew Too Much in Marrakech. However, he struggled to control crowds while shooting in the square. He preferred working in a controlled studio.
Ancient engineers built underground channels called khettaras to bring water from the mountains. Thus, this system allowed Marrakech to flourish in the desert. Without this innovation, the city would not exist.
The city honors seven patron saints who protect its citizens. Today, pilgrims visit their shrines in a specific order to gain blessings. This tradition connects the city to its spiritual roots.
Community bathhouses known as Hammams play a vital role in daily life. Regularly, locals go there to scrub their skin and socialize. It acts as a social club as much as a place for hygiene.
Cats roam freely everywhere in the historic Medina of Marrakech. Happily, shopkeepers treat them as pets and feed them scraps. Consequently, you see healthy cats sleeping on expensive rugs.
A massive palm grove sits just outside the city. Legend says soldiers created it by spitting out date pits while they camped there. Now, thousands of trees stand where the army slept.
You can actually ski just an hour away from Marrakech. Surprisingly, the Oukaïmeden resort offers snowy slopes during winter. Thus, you can swim and ski on the same day.
