Wednesday, June 02, 2010

El Bahia Palace

The creme de la creme of the Marrekech historical sites is the El Bahia Palace.

Marrakech BY 0110_065

Marrakech BY 0110_053

This 19th-century palace, once home to a harem, is a marvelous display of painted wood, ceramics, and symmetrical gardens. Built by Sultan Moulay el Hassan I's notorious Grand Vizier Bou Ahmed, the palace was ransacked on Bou Ahmed's death, but you can still experience its layout and get a sense of its former beauty.

Marrakech HY Group 2 0210 052

Marrakech BY 0110_075

Marrakech HY Group 2 0210 029

Marrakech HY Group 2 0210 030

Marrakech HY Group 2 0210 060

Marrakech HY Group 2 0210 068

Don't forget to look up at smooth arches, carved-cedar ceilings, tadlak (shiny marble) finishes, gibs (stucco plasterwork) cornices, and zouak painted ceilings.

Marrakech HY Group 2 0210 049

Marrakech BY 0110_064

Marrakech HY Group 2 0210 037

Marrakech HY Group 2 0210 036

Marrakech BY 0110_054

Marrakech HY Group 2 0210 045

Marrakech HY Group 2 0210 074

Marrakech HY Group 2 0210 073

Marrakech HY Group 2 0210 063

Marrakech HY Group 2 0210 051

Fancy a room? Each one varies in size according to the importance of each wife or concubine. American writer Edith Wharton once stayed in the most favored wife's glorious private apartment.

Marrakech BY 0110_080

Marrakech HY Group 2 0210 070

Marrakech BY 0110_079

Marrakech HY Group 2 0210 055

Marrakech BY 0110_062

No comments: