A fascinating carpet museum in the souks.
This is a remarkable exhibition of Berber carpets and a journey through the ancestral history of the tribes who created them.
Maison Culturelle du Tapis is tucked away in the souks and a place you must see if you’re in Marrakech.
Beautiful carpets are draped along the walls of this boutique museum made by different tribes and eras in Moroccan history.
Situated deep within the medina at 16-18 Derb Deffa Ourbaa, it’s a little difficult to find, but vendors will happily point you in the right direction.
It’s a fascinating walk through the history of traditional weaving, and some of the carpets are generations old and beautifully preserved.
Every room of this tastefully restored 17th century riad invites you to look at each different region’s identity, from the Atlas Mountains to Rabat.
You get to learn the Berber symbols and specific colours each tribe used when weaving their carpets.
There are descriptions to help you appreciate the work that goes into creating each piece, including history about the Berber tribes who made them.
There’s a video showing you the expertise and process of creating the carpets and the history of the Berber women.
There’s also a workshop where you can have a go at making one yourself to take away with you.
One of the treasures on display in the museum is the Rabat carpet, a symbol of royal elegance renowned for its rich decoration and finery.
The museum includes a collection of exquisite rare 20th-century carpets and modern contemporary pieces.
A visit to this delightful place was a nice break for me from the densely packed medina, and I would thoroughly recommend stopping by to have a look around it.
There’s a pretty rooftop terrace, where you’ll find a nice cafe to have a light snack or a drink.
The views across the medina are exceptional.
The museum is open from 10.00 am until 6.00pm.
There’s a small shop inside the museum selling things like cushion covers and bags with lovely examples of some of the weaving sewn onto the middle of them.
To enter the museum, there’s a small entrance fee.
It’s definitely worth every dirham to delve into the rich, cultural ancestry of the Amazigh and learn about their exceptional carpet weaving skills.
Sounds Of The Souks 