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Marrakech "A tale of souks and snake charmers"
Walking around in the Medina of Marrakech in Morocco may just inspire you to hum a few lines of “Arabian nights” from Aladin. Although Morocco is on the west coast of Africa, and the old Arabia and Persia were in the east, this city certainly captures the mystique and charm of these captivating places.
Marrakech itself has two districts. Gueliz or Ville Nouvelle is the modern part of the city, featuring all the upmarket shops, restaurants and branded stores. Marrakech is, therefore, much more than an old city caught in times gone by. There are commercial opportunities in this city as well as more modern attractions to cater to the more commercial tourist.
However, if you have decided to visit Morocco for a taste of its old culture, the Medina holds the old world historic charm of a maze of walkways and alleyways winding their way between the souks or stall type markets. Djemaa El-Fna is the main square of the medina, situated in the centre of the souks. No matter the time of day or night, you are bound to find some form of entertainment displayed on this square. Fortune tellers, musicians, acrobats, snake charmers, belly dancers and fire dancers are just a few of the attractions and there will always be the food stalls nearby which accost your senses with exotic aromas and colourful displays of food to entice you to try the local cuisine, while the rhythmic music plays continuously all around you. Shopping at the souks is also an experience that is unique to this type of culture. The vast array of merchandise available at these markets is endless. In one day you could browse through anything from exotic spices to beautiful silk scaves, kaftans to shoes, ornaments to incense, and much more. If you are smart and you have a good poker face, you may even be able to negotiate a discount for yourself, because even though the stall owners will never tell you, there are those who know that in these souks, prices are open to negotiation, if you know how to do it.
Another opportunity not to be missed on your trip to Marrakech, is the experience of staying in a Riad. These beautiful Moroccan houses with a magnificent courtyard or garden in the centre, are little palaces disguised as hotels. The architecture of these structures is gorgeous, creating the illusion that you are staying in an Arabian palace which has been converted into a museum of Moroccan architecture. But a different kind of beauty awaits you in the meticulously cared for internal gardens and courtyards, which provide a surprisingly peaceful escape from the bustle of the souks and Djemaa El-Fna outside of the Riad’s walls.
It cannot be denied that Marrakech is a city with a strong historical background, and the many historical sites and attractions in and around the city pay tribute to this fact. The Koutoubia Mosque is adjacent to Djemaa El-Fna and is a beautiful red stone building surrounded by beautiful greenery, but the true beauty of this mosque comes out at night when it is lit up. It is said that the minaret, which stands 77 metres high, is visible from Gueliz.
There are so many other historical or architectural attractions that would leave any traveler in awe of this remarkably beautiful city. If you want to escape the madness of the bazaars and souks be sure to visit the beautiful garden oases of the Menara gardens and the Marjorelle Gardens with the Museum of Islamic Art in the centre of this green paradise. The Ben Youssef Madrassa, one of the largest Madrassas in North Africa, is also a very popular attraction. For architectural beauty combined with historical significance, be sure to visit El Bahia Palace, El Badi Palace, Dar Si Said Museum and the Saadian Tombs.
Marrakech is truly a city to inspire creativity and awe, an immense escape into a world so rich in intoxicating culture and every possible version of beauty that many of us wouldn’t even believe it could still exist. However, occasionally a traveler discovers these jewels of human existence and is fortunate enough to share their experience with the world, so that other travelers are also privy to the knowledge and opportunities to explore these faraway and sometimes forgotten places.
Roxanne Abrahams - Travel Writer
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