 | Marrakesh El Badi Palace Reviews | Tips 1 - 10 of 24 |  |
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2 failed attempts to find the El Badi on my previous trip, I found it quite easily this time.
The Palace of "The Incomparable" or "The Marvel" its name isn't easily translated, was built on the orders of Ahmed El Mansour after defeat of the Portuguese in the Battle of 3 kings.
Built 1578 to 1603, and paid for by ransom money from the Portuguese, Guinean gold and Sugar (which was exchanged for its equivalant weight in marble !)
It's design was influenced by the Alhambra Palace in Granada.
Italian marble, Rare woods from India, and Sudanese gold were used .Craftsmen from around the world were employed in construction and decoration. Its walls being covered with zillij tiles and carved stucco panels.
360 rooms, courtyards, pools, orange groves and an underground prison were enclosed in the brick walls. The most impressive room being the Kabba el Khamsinyya- named due to its 50 columns- it was probably the Reception Hall for state visits.
Sadly El Mansour died before completion of his dream.
Sultan Moulay Ismail decided to a bit of re-cycling, and over 10 years in the 17th C, removed the valuable materials and craftwork for his palace in Meknes! Looks like he got a bit carried away, as today there is just the shell of the Palace, whose walls provide nesting space for the many storks.
It is worth visiting to get an idea of the size, and you can get some idea of the layout from the foundations (and info plaques at strategic points) There are good views from the walls over the City into the Mellah, and you can clamber around the underground cells (bring a torch).
Late afternoon, the storks (cignones) make quite an impressive sight soaring into the sky, before swooping earthwards.
The treasure in the Palace now is the restored Koutoubia Minbar, considered to be one of the finest examples of wood working created by man in the world!
May or June, the Palace is the main venue of the annual Folklore Festival.
10dh admission to Palace + 10dh to see minbar
Open 08.30 - 11.45, 14.45 - 17.45 Leave a Comment Directions: Between Kasbah and Mellah, near Saadian tombs. From Koutoubia Mosque, take Ave Haumann El Fetouaki to Place des Ferblantiers. Look for a large gate near the start of the ramparts, enter and turn R.
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| | | | El Badi Palace: Palace El Badi (2) Koutoubia Minbar. | Tip Rating: | | | | |
The minbar is in a restored pavillion in the Palace El Badi, with exhibits of the minbar and its restoration.
A minbar or Mimbar is the platform/pulpit where the Imam recites the Koran.
Often they're small towers with a pointed roof and stairs. They are always placed to the right of the mihrab - a niche in the wall indicating the direction of Mecca, the direction for worshippers to face during prayer.
Minbars are only used on Fridays, and otherwise remain locked away.
Originally constructed in Cordoba, Spain in 1139, It was transferred in separate pieces to Marrakech by camel, where it was reconstructed.
It consists of over a 1,000 single carvings of incredible complexity and pattern, not one is identical!
Scripts from the Koran and geometric/ mathmatical patterns are contained in the work. It took 8 years to complete and is thought to be one of the finest examples of woodwork created by humans.
Not only was it an amazing piece of craftsmanship, the assembled worshippers were stunned to see the minbar appear as if by magic during their Friday prayers - a series of pulleys and rails enabled this manouevre!
The minbar was in continual use in 3 different mosques in Marrakech until 1962, when it was removed here for restoration.
Restored by experts from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, in joint partnership with the Ministery of Cultural Affairs of Morocco.
A documentary of the restoration won the gold trophy in 1998 in an arts film festival in S. France.
For an account of the conservation work carried out and the history of the minbar this web page below is useful (I think this paper might have been one of the displays in the exhibition)- there are drawings and photos too
http://aic.stanford.edu/sg/wag/1998/WAG_98_minor.pdf.
The minbar is behind a corded rail, which prevents viewing of most of the structure, and photography is forbidden - A security guard ensures this!
Please see my previous El Badia Palace tip for more details of directions, opening times etc. Leave a Comment Address: Palais El Badi, MarrakechDirections: See My Palace El Badi tip for details
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