THE HISTORY OF MARRAKECH.

A brief glimpse into the history of the red city of Marrakech.

Marrakech has been inhabited for over 1000 years. The first settlers were Berber farmers who had lived on the land since neolithic times.

Morocco took its name from Marrakech, the Amazigh people named the country Murakush, meaning the western kingdom. Later Arab conquerors adapted the name to Morocco.

During the 11th and 12th centuries, the Almoravids were the rulers of Marrakech, founded by Abu Bakr Ibn Umar in 1070.

They constructed an  underground water system to supply water to the city canals, which attracted merchants and craftsmen to Marrakech.

They began building riads for the people who were beginning to settle in Marrakech, and it became a real city.

His cousin and successor Yuseff Ibn Tashfin developed Marrakech further, turning it into the Almoravid empire.

He erected mud brick houses, which gave the city its distinctive red colour today.

It was during this period that the Masjid al siquaya mosque was built, and souks or market places sprung up, marking the beginning of urban life in Marrakech.

In the 12th and 13th centuries, the Almohads overthrew the Almoravids and took over the city.

They continued to develop Marrakech even further, painting the walls of the city red and building spectacular palaces and the famous Koutoubia Mosque.

They were intellectuals and artists, and many scholars were attracted to the city.

They introduced education and art to the people, turning the city into a political, economical, and cultural centre.

They improved on the water system by building open air canals, allowing water to flow down from the Atlas mountains.

This gave the city dwellers a better quality of life.

The city soon began to prosper under the rule of the Almohads and became a thriving place for merchants to meet and exchange goods.

In the 13th century, the Merinid Empire took control of Marrakech in 1230 ruling for two centuries.

They built the first madrasa in 1343-9 and used Marrakech as a training ground for heirs to the throne .

Marrakech was the imperial capital of Morocco, but they much preferred the city of Fez, and so consequently, Marrakech was about to go into serious decline.

Fez became the new capital, and Marrakech became the regional capital of the South instead.

Because of this move,  Marrakech was left to decay, becoming impoverished and neglected. The buildings were left to crumble, and the city that was once a bustling hive of activity began to die.

From 1578-1603, the Saadian  sultans led by Ahmad Al Mansur came to power, restoring the city to its former glory and establishing Marrakech as its capital city.

They built the Saadian tombs and El Badi palace, furnishing them with intricate tile work and stucco.

They launched military campaigns against European invasion, and this period of rule became the golden age of literature and art.

The Saads built Bab Doukkala 1557-1571 mosque and Mouassine mosque 1562-72.

They also built Ben Youssef Madrasa in 1570.

In 1631, rule was passed from the Saadian dynasty to the Alaouite dynasty, which is still the name of the current Morroccan royal family.

The Alaouites promoted trade with the United States and European countries. They improved date palm crops and modernised the army.

They also attempted to take control of the Berber and Bedoin tribes.

They restored the riads and buildings in Marrakech, developing it’s infrastructure.

It was in 1911 that the capital of Morocco became Rabat.

Marrakech became a French protectorate in 1912 when the sultan Abd al-Hafid signed the treaty of Fez.

Although the sultan remained the head of state, the French had a huge influence in developing strong diplomatic and economic relations in trade and tourism.

The French began modernising the city and building new districts whilst aiming to preserve the traditional character of the city.

They encouraged tourism and exporting Moroccan dates and other produce.

In 1956, Morocco gained its independence when the treaty of Fez was passed back.

Throughout history, Marrakech has been a city that has resurged, declined, and resurged once again.

It has fought against several invasions and endured plagues and famines.

In 1982, UNESCO declared Marrakech a UNESCO world heritage site, raising awareness of the cultural heritage of the city.

It is now one of the most popular destinations in the world and receives millions of tourists each year.

Marrakech combines the ancient with modernity perfectly.

Visitors can get a glimpse into the intriguing past of Marrakech as they wander around the preserved walls of the medina.

As they venture into the tree lined avenues of Mohammed V avenue, they are presented with a newer,modern side of Marrakech, a thriving hub of fancy restaurants, bars and boutiques.

Marrakech has an astonishing history, which makes it all the more fascinating. It is well worth taking a tour of the historic buildings in the medina to get a taste of the red city’s intriguing past..

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