» The medina of Marrakech

A stroll through the souks in the medina of Marrakech counts among the most wonderful experiences during a trip to Morocco. It feels like wandering through 1001 Nights or a pilgrimage for the senses. With its old city centre, the medina, the Moroccan city of Marrakech offers a special highlight, which you must not miss. The word medina comes from the Arabian language, meaning “town”.
In former times of course, this city centre used to constitute the greatest part of the town. Residential homes were built around the square and even extended into the square like it is the case with the famous “riads”. Later, people kept building more and more to the periphery of the cities, so that these successively grew larger. However, the medina has remained that part of the city where life is going on. In 1985, the medina of Marrakech was listed as a world heritage of mankind together with the Agdal Gardens and Menara Gardens.
In the souks, the traditional markets of the city, life is humming. Whoever comes to Marrakech must absolutely visit the souks. In the many alleys there are all sorts of merchants and traders and their various merchandise, from cloths and clothing to exotic food and traditional arts and crafts of the African Bedouins. Goldsmiths also offer their goods here. Various scents and the atmosphere of 1001 Nights penetrate to the visitor from everywhere. Dancers, jugglers, snake-charmers and other artists show their tricks. Mainly on the most famous square of the continent: the Djema el Fna. And over people’s heads, the muezzins call from the minarets, for example from the Ali-Ben-Youssef Mosque, the oldest house of prayer in Marrakech. The Quessabin Mosque and the Koutoubia Mosque, which count among the most beautiful mosques in the country, can also be found here. The Bahia Palace in the Jewish quarter is also very impressive with its ceiling in cedar wood and the carved wooden doors. Every year in June, Marrakech organises a festival of folkloristic art in the medina.