Marrakesh is a lovely city, very rose coloured
complemented by the blue sky.
We started
our day with a visit to the Saadian Tombs.
These are a great example of Moorish architecture with classic archways
covered in gold leaf and stucco work. They date to the time of the Saadian
dynasty and in particular to the reign of Ahmad al-Mansur (1578–1603), though
members of Morocco's monarchy continued to be buried here for a time afterwards.
After leaving the Saadian Tombs we were dropped off at Jemaa el-Fnaa square with numerous stands selling orange juice, fruit and spices. There were also monkey trainers, snake charmers and even a peacock.
From Jemaa el-Fnaa we entered the medina which is a cultural UNESCO World Heritage Site in Morocco. It serves as the old Islamic capital of Morocco originating in the 11th century. We walked through the labyrinth of tiny alleyways which we shared with motorbikes and donkey carts.
The splendid Ben Youssef Medersa, in the heart of the medina, was erected by Sultan Abdullah Al-Ghaleb Assaadi between the years 1564 and 1565. It remained for four centuries a bastion for scholars. Students converged on this institution to deepen their knowledge in religious sciences, philosophy, medicine, and mathematics. The medersa is beautifully decorated including intricately carved cedar wood doors and artistic ceilings.
The medina is home to several apothecaries which offer a mix of traditional remedies and modern medicine. We visited one of these apothecaries and had a chance to sample their wares including Royal tea and essential oils. This naturally lead to an opportunity to buy their products which many of us did.
In the evening we returned to Jemaa el-Fnaa to watch all
the hustle and bustle of the square from a roof terrace café. There were musicians playing traditional Moroccan
music and a continuation of the day's activities.
