A brief history of Morocco…

PrEhistoRIC TIMES AND ANTIQUITY

5000 - 500 BC: The Berbers inhabit Morocco, rock engravings
500 BC: Ethiopian invasions
400 BC: Founding of the Carthaginian trading posts
146 BC - 429 AD: Roman invasion and administration, creation of the province of Northern Mauretania
429 AD: Invasions by Vandals, Goths and then Turks.

ARAB CONQUESTS

683: Morocco conquered by the Arabs, the beginning of Islamization
789: Idrisid Dynasty (descendents of the Prophet)
1055: Almoravid Dynasty (nomadic Berbers)
1147: Almohad Dynasty (reformists)
1269: Marinid Dynasty
1508: Founding of the Portuguese trading posts on the Atlantic coast
1520: Saadi Dynasty
1664: Alaouite Dynasty (descendents of Ali), still on the throne today.

MOROCCO, France AND SPAIN

1844: French military intervention (colonial period), defeat of the Moroccan army at Isly
1907: Further French intervention following anti-French riots in Casablanca
1912: Establishment of French (Lyautey => 1925) and Spanish protectorates in the North
1921-1926: The Rif War (Morocco – Spain)
1927-1956: Rise of nationalism, with Sidi Muhammad ibn Yüsuf. End of the protectorates.

IndEpendEnce

1956: Moroccon independence. Reign of the sultan Sidi Muhammad ibn Yüsuf, under the name of Mohammed V
1961: Death of Mohammed V. Accession to the throne of his son, Hassan II
1979: Western Sahara (formerly Spanish) is returned to Morocco, following the Green March (1975)
1999: Death of Hassan II. Succession of his son, Mohammed VI
Since 2001: Morocco has opened up, hosting, for example, the UN conference on climate change and a world summit on women. It is open to foreign investment and is preparing free trade agreements.

Visiting Marrakech through the ages

PrEhistoRIC TIMES

Rock engravings in the High Atlas and in the Ourika Valley, near Marrakech

romaN PERIOD

Volubilis, Tangier, Roman roads (in the north of the country)

IdrisID DYNASTY (789-1055)

North of Morocco, the founding of Fez

Almoravid DYNASTY (1055-1147)

Marrakech, its capital, was founded by Yüsuf ibn Tachfine. The name Marrakech comes from Marrakouch (the land of the sons of Kouch, dark-skinned warriors who were Almoravid from Mauritania). The kingdom was huge (from Tafilalet to Castile in Spain!) and very rich. The Andalusian province influenced Moroccan art and architecture.

• The Ramparts
• The Khettaras (irrigation channels from the Atlas)

Almohad DYNASTY (1147-1269)

Radical religious reforms (Al-Mohad = unity of God), reconquest of Morocco, Algeria and Southern Spain, moral reform, capture of Marrakech, massacre of the Almoravids

• Extension of the Ramparts (current layout)
• The Koutoubia Mosque, the largest in Marrakesh, reserved for Muslims. You can admire its famous minaret and stroll through the surrounding gardens.
• The Agdal Gardens (visits only on Friday afternoons and Sundays)
• The Menara Gardens
• The dozen palaces in the Kasbah
• The Almohad Mosque

Marinid DYNASTY (1269-1520)

The centre moves from Marrakech to Fez and Meknes. The Red City falls slowly into ruin... The country is divided and weakened.

• Challah, a historic town and site near Rabat, with the ancient Roman city of Sala
• Mogador (a former Roman trading post) is founded by the Portuguese

Saadi DYNASTY (1520-1664)

Under the influence of the sultan Moulay Abdallah, followed by Ahmed el-Mansour (Ahmed the Golden), Marrakech once again becomes the capital of a reunified Morocco and sends echoes around Europe as the promised land.

• The Ben Youssef Madrasa (Islamic College), with its elegant Arab-Andalusian architecture. This traditional university could house up to 900 students
• The El-Badii Palace (the “Incomparable”)
• The Saadi Tombs - splendid mausoleums where the members of the dynasty were laid to rest.

Alaouite I DYNASTY (1664-1844)

Massacre of the Saadis by the Alaouites, descendants of Ali ibn Taleb, a cousin of the Prophet, who settled in Tafilalet. A return to strict Islam with Moulay Rachid.

• Dismantling of the El-Badii Palace and the walling up of the Saadi Tombs
• Marrakech is abandoned in favour of Meknes
• The Portuguese are driven from the Atlantic trading posts and Essaouira is founded (formerly Mogador)

Alaouite II DYNASTY (1844-current day)

The sultan of Morocco supports Abd el-Kadr, but Moroccan troops are crushed by the army of General Bugeaud at the Battle of Isly (1844). Power is decentralized. Tangier becomes the royal residence. Vizir Ba Ahmed influences the young king. Based in Marrakech, the Vizir amasses a large fortune.

• The Bahia Palace, comprising a series of magnificently decorated houses, surrounded by flowering courtyards
• The Dar Si Saïd - the Museum of Moroccan decorative and religious art and its large bougainvillea riad

FRENCH Protectorate (1912-1956)

Occupation of the main cities by the troops of General Mangin, following anti-French attacks in Casablanca. The Glaoui of Marrakech (residing in the Telout Kasbah) sides with the protectorate. Marshall Lyautey is appointed the first Resident-General of Morocco and moves the power away from Marrakech to Rabat and Casablanca. Despite this, the number of Europeans in Marrakech increases.

• Lyautey creates a new town, Gueliz, right next to the Medina of Marrakech
• Rabat and Casablanca are modernized
• Administrative and economical infrastructure is created throughout the country.

So concludes this historic account of Morocco, caught up by modern times, but still under the aegis of the Alaouites: Mohammed V († 1961), Hassan II († 1999) and Mohammed VI, the 36^th descendant of the Prophet, currently on the Cherif throne (Cherif = descendant of the Prophet). The King of Morocco is thus the ‘Commander of the Believers’ (Amir al Mouminine).

Other places of interest in Marrakech

THE MEDINA

The Marrakech Medina – the most extensive in the whole of Morocco, with its 19km of ramparts dating from the 12^th century – brings together tourists and Marrakchis alike. Experience the unforgettable charm of strolling through orange groves and winding alleys, admiring fountains and courtyards along the way. The hustle and bustle of the souks is not to be missed –there is always something new to see.

Jemaa El Fna

A centre of attraction of the Red City and dominated by the Koutoubia minaret, this famous square is admired the world over. It owes much of its charm to its architecture, together with its historic and cultural interest. The name, which means “Assembly of the Dead’, originated with the sultans, who displayed the heads of executed criminals to the crowd.
This square has been a significant place for entertainment and exchanges since the 11^th century. Named as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, the Jemaa El Fna Square will delight you with its sounds, colours and fragrances. Enjoy the spectacle of traders, henna tattoo artists, acrobats, jugglers, snake charmers, water carriers and musicians, and visit the shops selling dried fruit, freshly-squeezed juice and the little restaurants on the square.

The souks

The souks, a festival of colour, sound and bewitching fragrances, are a fascinating and unmissable tourist attraction. Each with its own speciality (dyers, cabinet-makers, apothecaries, carpet sellers, ironworkers, tanners, copper, jewellery, spices…), the stalls are overflowing with goods to sell at all prices. You can be sure that you won’t leave without a pair of babouches - oriental slippers – or a cult ashtray! Since the introduction of a tourist brigade, venturing into the souks is without danger, even if you should still keep a close eye on your belongings. Don’t hesitate to explore all the alleys to find exactly what you’re looking for. Ladies will be referred to as Gazelles, whilst the Gentlemen will be invited to negotiate (keep smiling; it’s part of the game!).

The Arab-Andalusian M’Nebhi Palace

This palace is one of the most beautiful 19^th century palaces. Since 1997, it has been the home of the Marrakech Museum, which houses temporary exhibitions, alternating contemporary art with more traditional work.

SIGHTSEEING OUTSIDE OF THE MEDINA

Gueliz

Gueliz is a modern town, sometimes referred to as the ‘European District’, that was created during the French protectorate. Indeed, the first monument to be built here was the Catholic Church of Saints-Martyrs!
This new town is a mix of corporate headquarters, café terraces and numerous cake shops, arts and crafts stores and luxury prêt-à-porter, especially in the Plazza. After a bustling visit in the Medina, Gueliz and Hivernage allow you to stroll along with just the sounds of birds and the breeze in the palm trees. Stop for a moment in the covered market where souvenir stands, but especially butchers, greengrocers, poultry sellers and fishmongers, work side by side... Discover another side of Marrakech.

The Majorelle Garden

This lush, green setting was created in the 1920s by the painter Jacques Majorelle, before being bought by Yves Saint-Laurent and Pierre Bergé, who donated it to the city. This unmissable garden, with its abundance of rare trees, cactus, bougainvillea and bamboo, is filled with freshness, poetry and mystery. The Art Deco Villa in magic cobalt blue (Majorelle blue!) houses the Museum of Islamic Art. Entry to the garden costs 30Dh, with a further 15Dh to visit the museum.
Yves Saint-Laurent admirers can visit the mausoleum that contains his ashes.

A ride through the Palm Grove

The Palm Grove, an oasis planted during the reign of the Almoravid sultan Yüsuf ibn Tachfine, stretches over 13,000 hectares, in which 150,000 palm trees are watered via an underground network. A horse-driven carriage will take you on a 20 kilometre ride around this haven of peace.
At sunset, the Palm Grove is an unforgettable sight....