El Bahia Palace

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





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.













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





















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.

I must admit this...

I can absolutely say that the entire show of Lost came and went without me ever getting caught up in it and seeing an episode.  Sky just aired the show finale and I figured, why let that streak end.

I will just remain oblivious.

All aboard the Marrakech Express

While not an abundance of historical sights are to be had in Marrakech, there are a few interesting places to check out if you find yourself in the city. Granted, it is more about the feel of the place rather than the historical sights but we did enjoy glorious sunshine, warm breezes in a walking tour of Marrekech....all easily done on foot or carriage.  If you have the chance to visit...go!

Koutoubia Mosque

The soul of the city is the nearby Koutoubia Mosque, the main place of worship in Marrakech. Like all Marrakech mosques, entry is forbidden to non-Muslims.



El Badi Palace

This 16th-century palace was once a playground for Saadian princes and visiting diplomats—a mammoth showpiece for opulent entertaining. Today, it's a romantic set of sandstone ruins, policed by nesting storks. A huge swimming pool in the center (still there today) is flanked by four others, along with four sunken orange orchards. The main hall was named the Koubba el Khamsiniyya, referring to its 50 grand marble columns. Along the southern wall is a series of below-ground corridors and underground dungeons.





















Bab Agnaou and City Ramparts

One of several gates into the city along with pictures of the city ramparts.













RabbaKedima, "Old Square"







Saadian Tombs

This small, beautiful 16th-century burial ground is the permanent resting place of 166 Saadians, including its creator, Sultan Ahmed el Mansour, the Golden One. Here, Hachie Gal meets up with a "Water Man" outside the entrance to the tombs.

The central mausoleum, the Hall of Twelve Columns, contains the tombs of Ahmed el Mansour and his family. It's dark, lavish, and ornate, with a huge vaulted roof, carved cedar doors and moucharabia (carved wooden screens traditionally used to separate the sexes), and gray Italian marble columns.







True to his name, he did it in style—even those not in the lavish mausoleum have their own colorful zellij graves, laid out for all to see, among the palm trees and flowers.













Because the infamous Moulay Ismail chose not to destroy them (he was apparently superstitious about plundering the dead), these tombs are one of the few Saadian relics left. He simply sealed them up, leaving only a small section open for use. The complex was rediscovered only in 1917 by General Hubert Lyautey during the French protectorate.



Architectural detail of the tombs.

Sun sets on Marrakech

Warm February nights in Marrakech were the best for evening exploring...we could have stayed for days!