Marrakech

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Coordinates: 31°38′N, 8°0′W

Marrakech
The City of Marrakech
The City of Marrakech
Marrakech (Morocco)
Marrakech
Marrakech
Location in Morocco
Coordinates: 31°8′N 8°0′W / 31.133, -8
Country Morocco
Region Marrakech-Tensift-El Haouz
Population (2006)
 - Total 1,036,500
For the record label, see Marrakesh Records.

Marrakech or Marrakesh (مراكش Marrakesh), known as the "Red City" or "Al Hamra," is a city with a population of 1,036,500 (as of 2006) in southwestern Morocco, near the foothills of the Atlas Mountains.

Contents

[edit] Name

The possible origin of its name could be from the Tamazight (Berber) words mur (n) akuch, which means Land of God. (The root "mur" is now in the Berber languages used only in the feminine form "tamurt"). The same word "mur/mawr" appears in the country Mauritania, but this interpretation is still unproved to this day, and there are other possibilities that are often invoked.

Djemaa el Fna
Djemaa el Fna

This city is the capital of the Marrakech-Tensift-El Haouz region. Marrakech has the largest traditional market (souk) in Morocco and also has one of the busiest squares in Africa, Djemaa el Fna.[1] The square bustles with acrobats, story-tellers, water sellers, dancers, and musicians by day; and food stalls by night, becoming a huge open-air restaurant.

Like many North African and Middle Eastern cities, Marrakech comprises both an old fortified city (the médina) and an adjacent modern city (called Gueliz). It is served by Ménara International Airport (RAK is the code for the airport) and a rail link to Casablanca and the north.

The city is spelled "Marrakech" in French, "Marrakesh" in English, and "Marrakesch" in German.

[edit] History

Main article: History of Morocco
Medina of Marrakech*
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Koutiubia Mosque
Type Cultural
Criteria i, ii, iv, v
Reference 331
Region† {{{Region}}}
Inscription history
Inscription 1985  (9th Session)
* Name as inscribed on World Heritage List.
† Region as classified by UNESCO.

Marrakesh is the fourth largest city in Morocco after Casablanca, Rabat, and Fès. It was known to early travellers as "Morocco City." Prior to the advent of the Almoravids in the 11th century, the area was ruled from the city of Aghmat. The Almoravid leader, Abu-Bakr Ibn-Umar decided Aghmat was becoming overcrowded and decided to build a new capital. Being a nomad from the Sahara Desert, he decided to build it in a plain, away from the mountains and rivers, and chose the site of Marrakech as being in neutral territory between two tribes who were vying for the honor of hosting the new capital. Work started in May 1070, but Abu-Bakr was recalled to the Sahara to put down a rebellion in January 1071, and the city was completed by his deputy and eventual successor Yusuf ibn Tashfin[2]. The city experienced its greatest period under the leadership of Yacoub el Mansour, the third Almohad sultan. A number of poets and scholars entered the city during his reign, and he began the construction of the Koutoubia Mosque and a new kasbah.

Prior to the reign of Moulay Ismail, Marrakech was the capital of Morocco. After his reign, his grandson moved the capital back to Marrakech from Meknès.

For centuries Marrakesh has been known for its 'seven saints'. When sufism was at the height of its popularity, during the reign Moulay Ismail, the festival of the 'seven saints' was founded by Abu Ali al-Hassan al-Yusi at the request of the sultan. The tombs of several renowned figures were moved to Marrakesh to attract pilgrims in the same way Essaouira did at that time with its Regrega festivals. The 'seven saints' (sebaatou rizjel) is now a firmly established institution, attracting visitors from everywhere. The seven saints include Sidi Bel Abbas (the patron saint of the city), Sidi Muhammad al-Jazuli, Sidi Abu al-Qasim Al-Suhayli, Cadi Ayyad ben Moussa and Abdallah al-Ghazwani.

Marrakech was dominated in the first half of the 20th century by T'hami El Glaoui, Lord of the Atlas and Pasha of Marrakech. The poet of the city was Mohammed Ben Brahim, his favorite place was café Al-Masraf. The poems and songs of Ben Brahim are still known by heart by many Marrakshi.

[edit] Demographics

Marrakech had a population of 1,036,500 in 2006.

Panoramic picture of the Djemaa el Fna square at sunset. Koutoubia Mosque appears on the extreme left. The souks are in the alleys behind the square
Panoramic picture of the Djemaa el Fna square at sunset. Koutoubia Mosque appears on the extreme left. The souks are in the alleys behind the square

The official number of residents is one million. Also, there is a very large international community consisting mainly of Europeans: especially French, estimated at 10,700 people, mostly retired. Additionally there are Germans, Italians, English and Swiss.

Further information: Demographics of Morocco

[edit] Main sights in Marrakech

Main article: List of places in Marrakech

[edit] Trips from Marrakech

Many tourists take a trip from Marrakech to visit the valley of the Ourika River in the Atlas Mountains or the valley of the Draa River in the south near the Sahara desert, but also to Middle Atlas Mountains: Waterfalls of Beni Mellal, and to the Essaouira on the Atlantic ocean.

[edit] Transport

Menara International Airport serves as the main airport for the city and receives flights from Europe and neighboring Arab countries.

A toll-paying motorway connects Marrakech with Casablanca.

CTM coaches (intercity buses) and various private lines run services to most notable Moroccan towns as well as a number of European cities, from the Gare Routière on Rue Bab Doukkala in downtown Marrakech.

Marrakesh is the southern terminus of the ONCF, the Moroccan railway network, and Marrakesh is well served by trains heading to Tangier, Rabat, Casablanca, and Fez. The train station is located on Avenue Hassan II.

The ONCF owned "Supratours" bus company serves towns not served by the train. The bus timetable coordinates with the train timetable and the bus terminal is right beside the station.

[edit] People born in Marrakech

  • Mordechai Vanunu (born October 13, 1954), Whistleblower of Israel's nuclear weapons program
  • Tahar Tamsamani (born September 10, 1980), Moroccan boxer
  • Ahmed Bahja : one of the best football players in Morocco

[edit] Photo Gallery

The Saadian Tombs

The Koutoubia Mosque

Djemaa el Fna square by night

A view from a hill

City hall

city gate Bab Agnaou

Djemaa el Fna at morning

Marrakech riad courtyard

Wall of Agdal Gardens

[edit] References in popular culture

[edit] References and notes

  1. ^ Ready for the masses? - Daily Telegraph
  2. ^ Ibn Idhari, Al-bayan al-mughrib Part III, annotated Spanish translation by A. Huici Miranda, Valencia, 1963


[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
v • d • e
World Heritage Sites in Morocco

Archaeological Site of Volubilis · Historic City of Meknes · Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou · Medina of Essaouira (formerly Mogador) · Medina of Fes el Bali  · Medina of Marrakech · Medina of Tétouan (formerly known as Titawin) · Portuguese City of Mazagan (El Jadida)
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