Marrakech & beyond

SOUNDS OF MARRAKECH

Marrakech is worth visiting simply for its sounds. It’s a rare place that starts the morning with a hypnotic entrancing prayer over the rising sun, the silences in between filled with birds chirping in the background, as you move through the day, the hustle of the souks and the sound of motorbikes enter the choir, in the evening the sounds of cymbals, drums, and flutes start the final refrain as your walk your way through the city.

THE SOUNDS OF THE MEDINA

THE PRAYERS

BIRDS ON THE TERRACE

A TOWN THAT NEVER CEASES TO INSPIRE
EVEN THOSE THAT HAVE SEEN IT ALL

Marrakech is special because it has always been a place for people en route from very different places. Either coming from or going to Europe and Africa, it has had the peculiar position of being a stopping ground for tradesmen, merchants, explorers and travelers. Many, even Mark Twain were moved by the variety and mix of peoples in Marrakech. It was established as a city in 1062 by Berber rulers and it eventually became the capital of an empire that stretched all the way to Spain. This is when the Spanish Andalucian influence entered Marrakech and formed some of its design and feel.

Around that time the red walls of the Medina were built out of the local mud giving the city its unique peach hue. This tint is one of the many ingredients of the Marrakech magic, as the sun sets and the light reflect of the peach walls, a calm and wonder sets in that is hard to mimic any where in the world.

Until the 1800’s Europeans were restricted from entering the city. Then in the early twentieth century when French colonists took over the country, the French influence was added to the mix. And to this day most Moroccans speak French.

From the 1930s and on, Marrakech became a place for the bon vivants, curious, and intellectual. In Winston Churchill’s words, “Marrakesh is simply the nicest place on Earth to spend an afternoon” Starting in 1966, Yves Saint Laurent found himself in Marrakech over and over again as his love affair with the central gardens, Jardin Majorelle grew and eventually he came to own them to save them from a real estate project. The Rolling Stones and other celebrities visited and stayed in Marrakech to interact with the community of nonconformist artists and writers that found inspiration and stimulation in the seductive atmosphere of Marrakech.

THERE’S MUCH MORE TO MARRAKECH THAN JUST THE MEDINA,
SO GET OUT THERE, AND SEE IT ALL

THE MEDINA

What’s the big deal you ask? Well, the Medina is infinite. Infinite in its labyrinth passageways and the many routes that can be taken.

VILLE NOUVELLE

The Ville Nouvelle and Gueliz have a more of a relaxed boardwalk and modern feel and find many of the new artsy and hipster cafes in Marrakech.

THE SOUK

The main feature inside the medina is the souk, the market streets full of clothes, textiles, pots, pans, lighting, furniture, leather and other artisan crafts.

PALMERAIE

Just outside Marrakech, it is a great oasis and resort atmosphere with grand swimming pools, perfectly manicured landscapes and quiet, royal day by the pool.

SIDI GHANEM

It is s a secret oasis for design shopping outside of Marrakech with more of an industrial feel. It’s place to find stonemasons as well as some of the best design shops in the area.

HIVERNAGE

Great for the night owl. Put on your best clothes and come out into the bastion of nightlife. Dance, drink, and bar hop in this exciting neighborhood for when the sun goes down.