Medina Marrakech or Marrakech Old town is a hive of activity in Marrakech. It attracts several people from different parts of the world because of its historical sites, colorful markets, and stately houses identified as riads.

Medina a World Heritage site

The Medina rests in a 700 hectares of land. Here, you will get markets or souks, residential properties, squares, and religious buildings. In the year 1985, UNESCO identified Marrakech medina as a World Heritage site. This city gained this status because of its wealth of artistic and architectural masterpieces.

It is in Medina you will come across several monuments that date back to the time of Almoravid. The good examples are the ramparts and Koutoubia Mosque that feature a pinkish hue. This pinkish hue is the product of the pigment located in the local earth. Also, entrances to the Medina are other things that make many people want to visit this place. To access Medina, you can use some monumental, twenty ancient gates, and many more humble.

Koutoubia Mosque

The Koutoubia Mosque measures 253-foot high minaret, and it remains to be the most outstanding monument and the largest mosque in Marrakech. It is the first landmark that every tourist will see whenever approaching Medina by land. The good news for every tourist is that they can now see this monument from afar, and they can quickly identify it as the desert’s lighthouse.

The Koutoubia Mosque continues to dominate the skyline up to now. The government contributed a lot to this dominance. It passed a law that doesn’t allow any building to rise above the height of the minaret of Koutoubia. The government decreed this law during the time of the French protectorate between the years 1912 and 1956.

Medina Jemaa El-Fna

Jemaa El-Fna square is another famous area in Marrakech, which is the central point of the medina. This place started as the criminal’s point of execution and parade ground for the troops of the sultan. Currently, this place is under the control of the entertainers and street sellers.

It is the shadow of the Koutoubia and a site that features a life of its own. It is amongst the most popular places in Marrakech known to be quiet during the day. During the day, you will find only a few sellers and hawkers selling various products.

Trade is the primary thing that has made Medina be at a forefront position ever since its establishment. It is in this place that you will come across a variety of shops that line along the narrow winding lanes. Also, you will come across workshops belonging to different tradespeople and artisans.

These tradesmen and artisans take part in various traditional activities such as carpentry or metalwork. Other than this, this place features slatted ceilings which play an essential role in protecting from the relentless summer sun.