Marrakesh Express

Marrakesh historically has had great importance for Morocco. It is primarily a Berber city at a very strategic location in the south of the country. Now it's the 4th largest city. With its long history (founded in 1062) there are many buildings and monuments that attest to its illustrious past. Its leaders have been the Almoravids first, then the Almohads, and Saadians. This of course was followed by the Europeans.

The Almoravids were nomads who came from the south and converted to Islam in the 9th century. They continued north through Morocco and into Spain creating an empire that extended to Barcelona. This is the time that Spain became Al Andalusia and the Andalusian style took hold. The empire began to shrink and the Almoravids stayed further north loosing most of their control in Morocco. By the beginning of the 12th century the Almohads who were also Berber from the High Atlas began to take control. They controlled Marrakesh and Fes. This was a more intellectual dynasty that extended into southern Spain. Great thinkers like Averroes and Maimonides were active in southern Spain and northern Morocco. Once the Almohads lost control of the Saharan trade routes their empire declined but not before they created beautiful works of art.

Finally the Saadian dynasty rebelled against Christian and European encroachment and the Ottoman empire. Like the others their influence waned and the complexities of rulers and succession in Morocco gets very complicated.

In a short visit to Marrakesh a sense of the importance and beauty of this city can be sensed though much is in disrepair and in need of restoration.

The medina in Marrakesh is one of the oldest in Morocco with well laid out Souks arranged by merchandise for sale. As in other places the souvenir shops are interspersed with shops frequented by locals.

Donkeys and carts share the narrow streets with many people as well as bicycles and motorbikes.

"Don't Panic, it's Organic"

This is really a shop in the metal working section and this man lives and works in the shop. According to the guide, he can find anything metal work related you might be looking for, even a screw driver.

The Souk (market) is divided in sections by the wares they sell. This section with all the lights was quite dramatic even though it was mid-morning.

The ultimate in street food, not for the faint-hearted or weak of stomach.

Not exactly sure what is on offer here but probably something like to a mini meal in a jar

In among the rug shops a reminder that real people actually live here and need wood for cooking and heating.

The Marrakesh Museum resides in a palace built at the end of the 19th century by the grand visor of Sultan Moulay Medhi Hassan. It is in the style of a traditional Moorish house. The open courtyard has zellij tile work and three marble fountains. The mystery to us was how candles could be lit inside the gigantic chandelier in the center.

Another example of an overturned boat ceiling.

Different chandeliers in each room arranged around the courtyard.

Smaller side galleries are no less impressive in their painted ceilings and chandeliers.

The museum contains hammam (bath house) rooms and this is the ceiling of one of the rooms. They are no longer used for that purpose.

Unusual that this room contains calligraphic imagery though it's a secular building.

Outside the medina, waiting for the bus just as in any other city.