‘Koutoubia Minaret’ is the center of Marrakech and visible throughout the city. The 12th-century, 250ft-high minaret with it’s Amazigh square design — it’s the prototype for the Giralda tower in Seville, Spain and Le Tour Hassan in Rabat (Morocco’s capital).Within the Medina — the old historic walled town — are the Souks (marketplace) with their labyrinth of narrow streets. Every step brought us face-to-face with colorful handicrafts and bazaars. Every craft has its own special zone — a souk within the souk — each selling specific types of wares.We discovered ‘Le Jardin Secret’ — created when several courtyard mansions (riads) from the 16th-century were combined. There were exhibits explaining the complexity of the water distribution system and its extensive restoration.We browsed this alluring Souk — one of many specializing in spices! And wandered through endless souks — metalworkers, carpenters, tailors, cobblers, football jerseys, fake Gucci caps — on our meandering way to……Ben Youssef Madrasa, a school established in the 1500’s for Koronic scholars. The restored building is beautiful, with carved stucco plasterwork (gibs), carved cedar, and the special Zellinger mosaic tile artwork. The large main courtyard — framed by two columned arcades — opens into a prayer hall.All the intricate carving — with Andulusian inspired details — are to assist the scholars in paying attention to the details of their studies. The details are elaborately decorated with rare palm motifs as well as more customary Islamic calligraphy. Ben Youssef MadrasaEach of the up to 900 scholars had a room — resembling monk’s cells — which would be furnished with some of these useful items to further their studies. Ben Youssef MadrasaWe found the ‘Le Mart’ rooftop restaurant for a tasty lunch of Meat Balls with egg (Kefta) Tagine and a fall-off-the-bone Chicken with fluffy Couscous Tagine. It’s as yummy as it looks!The 19-century ‘Bahia Palace’ was our outing for another day. Once the home to a harem, it’s a marvelous display of painted wood, ceramics, and symmetrical gardens.Looking up at the carved archway in the middle separating two intricate carved-cedar painted ceilings with gibs cornices. Each room in Bahia Palace varies in size according to the importance of each wife or concubine.There was an exhibit by artist Aicha Aherdane whose work was as detailed as the ceilings.Stunning painting by Aicha AherdaneExiting the garden at the Bahia Palace through an intricately decorated gate, we head back to the Medina…… And a rooftop lunch at Kasbah Andalussiya of a Fish Tagine and a burger (not a tagine!) while enjoying this minaret next door……And the local stained glass lanterns above sparkling in the sunshine at Kasbah Andalussiya.Our condo just south of the Medina feels a world away from the old walled town and we appreciate the tranquility. Prestigia Jade at Montgomerie Golf Course.
