Holidays in Morocco with CARTER® – exclusive travel and oriental trips to Marrakech
Holidays in Morocco should be on your travel list for 2021. If you love mysterious fortresses, oriental sounds of music and exotic bazaars smelling of spices.
This incredibly diverse and interesting country in northern Africa is separated from Europe only by the narrow Strait of Gibraltar. However, the difference in culture, landscape, climate and experiences is huge! When visiting Morocco, you can visit several climate zones in one day - from the dry desert in the Sahara to the cool and humid in the Atlas Mountains. The Kingdom of Morocco can be considered one of the most open and tourist-friendly Muslim countries, and the Moroccans themselves are famous for their hospitality and religious tolerance.
Marrakesh – the history of the city, the most important attractions and monuments
Geographical Marrakesh, also known as the Red City, is located in the heart of Morocco. It is the fourth largest city in the country, and also one of the most exotic, authentic and beautiful in the kingdom. Within its walls there are numerous architectural masterpieces, built with great skill and richly decorated with Arabic handicrafts. Marrakesh has an extraordinary number of magnificent buildings from different eras, many rulers from many centuries ago. The history of the "Ocher City" dates back to the second half of the 11th century, when the founder of Marrakesh was a member of the Almoravid dynasty - Sultan Yusuf bin Tashfin. Initially, it was one of the main ones center of Muslim culture and art. To beautify and expand the city, Sultan Yusuf used looted artifacts and loot during the conquest of Spain. The first city walls of Marrakesh were built in the 12th century and, interestingly, they have survived to this day in almost intact and original condition.
Marrakech's heyday
The walls were tested for strength immediately after their construction, when the settlement ruled by the Almoravid dynasty began to arm itself for fear of the rival and stronger Almohad dynasty. Despite bravely repelling attacks for ten months, the city finally surrendered under pressure from the armed forces. The Almohads did not destroy the city. On the contrary - they marked the beginning of Marrakech's period of splendor and the city quickly became the thriving capital of a large empire stretching from the Atlantic coast to the area of today's Libya (the historical name is Tripolitania). The city gained importance and became one of the most dynamic commercial and economic centers in the world. Moreover, humanities and philosophy developed in Marrakech, and the Red City was often visited by the most outstanding philosophers, sages and thinkers of that era. The style of Almohad architecture can still be admired in many places today.
Koutoubia and Menara Gardens these are typical and most famous examples
Menara Gardens located in Marrakech around the old city, they were built on a fragment of an olive grove dating back to the Almohad rule in the 12th century. This green area is an oasis of peace and a pleasant place to rest or take a walk along the marked paths. The main point of the gardens is a pond with a pavilion covered with green tiles. It is one of the most popular symbols and landscapes shown on urban postcards, with the snow-capped peaks of the Atlas Mountains in the background.
Koutoubia Mosque (Koutoubia Mosque) is another of the city's most important symbols and a great orientation point for visitors.
Saadian Tombs it is one of the greatest historical monuments of Marrakech. Composed of: Saadian necropolis there are 2 mausoleums, gardens and a courtyard. The tombs are located near the restored 12th century Kazba Mosque. They were built by the second Saditic sultan, Ahmad al-Mansur, where the descendants of the Prophet were to be buried. The burial place of Ahmad al-Mansur in a hall with XNUMX columns covered with bas-reliefs and mosaics is the greatest attraction of the necropolis. The tombs were walled up in the XNUMXth century by Moulay Ismail and remained hidden for the next two hundred years until accidentally discovered by the French.
Another place that deserves special attention and your visit is Majorelle Gardens together with the Yves Saint Laurent Museum. This point on the tourist map of Marrakech is considered one of the most beautiful in the city. Majorelle Gardens (Majorelle Garden) were created in the 1923th century by the French painter Jacques Majorell. The French orientalist purchased the estate in 40 and lived there for almost XNUMX years.
Yves Saint Laurent and his picturesque estate
A world-famous fashion designer lived in the Majorelle Gardens with his partner since 1980 Yves Saint Laurent. Thanks to him, the place gained incredible fame. After the master's death in 2008, his ashes were scattered in the gardens. In the gardens you can admire several dozen species of cacti and exotic trees from Sub-Saharan Africa and the Sahel. They surround blue-painted buildings. The area of 9000 square meters currently houses about 300 species of plants from 5 continents, cared for by 20 gardeners. The garden pavilion also houses the Museum of Islamic Art with a collection of Moroccan jewelry, the Berber Museum and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum. During a trip to Marrakech, it is worth going to this place to learn some history, African nature and local culture. A holiday in Morocco is incomplete without this world-famous attraction!
El-Bahia Palace, the pearl of Marrakech
El-Bahia Palace it is the largest palace in Marrakesh available to visitors. It was built at the end of the 1890th century in XNUMX. An interesting fact is that it was commissioned by local viziers (i.e. distinguished officials) - Si Ahmed and Ba Ahmed. The residence consists of buildings connected by a common courtyard, lined with azulejos, tiles characteristic of the architecture of Morocco and Spain. The interior of the palace is incredibly impressive with its richness of decorations and design elements. There you will find oriental mosaics, fountains, a room with an intricately decorated wooden vault, a stone fireplace, and a spectacular garden with exotic plants.
Madrasa of Ali ibn Yusuf in Marrakech is another attraction worth visiting during your holiday in Morocco. Madrasa (Quranic school) and the Ali Ben Yusuf Mosque are located in the northern part of the medina, at Place de la Kissaria. The richly decorated madrasa, distinguished by its architectural craftsmanship, was built in the 14th century. In the past, the Koran, law and Arabic were taught there, and now also other subjects such as mathematics and physics. The main part of the building is a beautiful courtyard with a pond reflecting the sun and colorful decorations, and a prayer room.
The famous square on the UNESCO World Heritage List
If you want to feel the real atmosphere of Marrakech, you must visit Djem el-Fna Square – this is the quintessence and heart of the city. Since 2001, it has been on the UNESCO list along with the surrounding historic city center. In 2008, it was added to the list as "intangible heritage". The square intrigues visitors with shows of snake charmers, fire eaters, jugglers' performances, and music concerts. gnawa and drummers, belly dances, stories from storytellers. Additionally, medicine stalls offer herbs and pomades for all kinds of ailments. After dark, the square also becomes one huge restaurant. About a hundred stalls offer a variety of local dishes. Starting from seafood, snails, kebabs, kebabs, soups harira, to the ubiquitous mint tea, freshly squeezed fruit juices and desserts. It is best to admire the bustling Jemaa Square (Jemma el Fna) from the terrace of one of the nearby cafes or a bar with a terrace. With a cup of tea, you can enjoy for hours the astonishing and surprising view of the square during the day and at night.
Marrakech - golf resort, fashionable luxury hotels and tailor-made holidays
Marrakech is rich in various hotels, the so-called riads, i.e. restored palaces. Currently, they are boutique hotels in the heart of the old town. Imagine a holiday in Morocco without an overnight stay in a historic place? We couldn't refuse. In the medina there are many cheaper Riyadh hotels, where backpackers sleep, and most travel agencies that organize overnight trips to the Sahara and climbing the Atlas Mountains in Morocco. In turn, fabulous hotels dripping with luxury, such as Selman, La Mamounia, Amanjena and Royal Mansour are wonderful oases that guarantee respite in their lush gardens. On the outskirts of Marrakech you will find some of the best hotels in Morocco, such as: Ksar Char Bagh, Mandarin Oriental or Fairmont Royal Palm located in a palm grove, right next to a championship golf course.
Were you inspired by holidays in Morocco, sightseeing tours and luxury hotels in Marrakech?
Please contact us: travel@carter.eu
