Mederssa Ben Youssef, Marrakesh

  Main Courtyard in the Medersa
by jlfloyd
 
  • Main Courtyard in the Medersa
      Main Courtyard in the Medersa
    by jlfloyd
  • Sign at the Medersa
      Sign at the Medersa
    by jlfloyd
  • Medersa ben Youssef
      Medersa ben Youssef
    by Flying.Scotsman
  • Medersa ben Youssef
      Medersa ben Youssef
    by Flying.Scotsman
  • Medersa ben Youssef
      Medersa ben Youssef
    by Flying.Scotsman
 

35 Reviews of Mederssa Ben Youssef

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Medersa ben Youssef
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Flying.Scotsman 179 reviews
Medersa ben Youssef
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The Medersa Ben Youssef is an example of 16th century Andalusian-Arab architecture. It was originally built as a religious college and was in use as such until the 1960s. It is now fully restored and contains a beautiful marble washing pool, as well as some fine examples of wood, plaster and stuuco work. A combined ticket for entrance to the Medersa, the Marrakech museum, and the ruined ancient mosque, can be purchased for a reduced cost. Unless you are pushed for time, I would certainly recommend you try to visit all three.

Updated Jan 29, 2010

Phone: + 212 (0)44 39 09 11/12

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Qubba Ba'adiyn
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MM212 3482 reviews
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Dating back from the 12th century Almoravides period, this ornate cupola was only discovered and unearthed in 1948. It was part of the original Ben Youssef Mosque and was used for washing (ablution) before praying in the mosque. The architectural details of the inside of the cupola are extraordinary. Its carved multi-lobed arches are reminiscent of the domes in la Mezquita in Córdoba.

Updated Sep 19, 2008

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Medersa
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jlfloyd 33 reviews
Main Courtyard in the Medersa
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This place was one of the better monuments to see in Marrakech. You can buy a ticket to three monuments (the Marrakech Museum, Ben Youssef Medersa and an archealogical site- all next to each other) for 60 dirhams, but a single ticket to the Medersa alone is 50 dirhams. This is the old school for teaching the Quran. The building is amazingly beautiful and you are allowed to walk about freely in the entire place including old student rooms. I would recommend this site to anyone. You can take some great pics.

Written Jul 17, 2008

Phone: + 212 (0)44 39 09 11/12

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Ali Ben Youssef Medersa- lacework stucco panel
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suvanki 2037 reviews
Lacework stucco panel - close up

The master craftsmen who designed these intricate artworks apparently liked to ensure that every area of the panels was covered, with not an inch being left unadorned!

I'd assumed that the panels were carved, but I was told later, (I think when I was visiting the Bahia Palace, where there are similar designs) that the 'plaster' was poured into moulds, then these moulded panels were attached to the walls. I guess that is why the panels are symetrical and so often repeated, but should imagine it was still a very time consuming job!

Updated Apr 14, 2008

Address: Ali Ben Youssef Medersa

Phone: + 212 (0)44 39 09 11/12

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Ali Ben Youssef Medersa- View from student cell 2
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suvanki 2037 reviews
Architectural salvage yard, Ben Yussef Medersa
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While looking through the windows from the students rooms to the streets outside, I was surprised to find myself looking into a yard, which had piles of old painted wooden pieces of architecture under tarpaulin covers.

Initially I thought I'd also come across a pile of bones!! ( I later realised these were assorted wooden carved chair or table 'legs' )

Updated Apr 14, 2008

Address: Ali Ben Youssef Medersa, Marrakesh

Phone: + 212 (0)44 39 09 11/12

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Ali Ben Youssef Medersa- View from student cell
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suvanki 2037 reviews
Window - students cell, Ben Yussef medersa
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This Medersa is unique, in that some of the rooms have windows overlooking the outside streets. I don't know if the students had much opportunity to leave the medersa during their stay there, but this would give a view on the outside world.

After wandering around the students cells, I realised that you could get quite a good view of the street life below, without being observed :-) so spent quite a while visiting each of the rooms to find the one with the best view.

One overlooks a shop that appeared to sell beads and had a chameleon in a cage, (unfortunately I forgot to use the infinity button on my camera, so didn't get the photo I'd hoped for) others overlook the street near the entrance to the medersa. (which is where this picture was of)

Updated Apr 14, 2008

Address: Ali Ben Youssef Medersa, Marrakesh

Phone: + 212 (0)44 39 09 11/12

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Ali Ben Youssef Medersa- view of inner courtyard
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suvanki 2037 reviews
Doorway onto courtyard
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This doorway is decorated with panels of Koranic verse, and leads into the inner courtyard, where you can see examples of zillij tile work.

Initially I thought that the intricate panels had been carved 'in - situ', but I learnt that many of these were 'plaster casted' in a mould, then fitted to the walls- again, requiring skillful craftsmen to design and create these stunning features.

You can see some of these examples in more detail in my other pics accompanying this tip.

Updated Apr 14, 2008

Address: Ali Ben Youssef Medersa, Marrakesh

Phone: + 212 (0)44 39 09 11/12

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Ali Ben Youssef Medersa- The inner courtyard
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suvanki 2037 reviews
Courtyard and pool, Ben Youssef Medersa

I was quite impressed with the courtyard and pool, despite my visit co inciding with the arrival of a tour group, I only had a short wait, while they dispersed to view the inner rooms.

The courtyard was quite peaceful, and there were a few chairs to sit and admire the architecture of the medersa, under the warm winter sun. (I should imagine it's very hot here in summer though)

This photo is taken facing the mosque (masjid).

The intricate decoration is typical of the Merenid period style (This Moroccan dynasty ruled during the 13th and 14th century, and constructed many mederssas throughout Morocco)

The zellij (decorative tilework) base is a typical design, fragments of ceramic tiles usually of blue, green and yellow laid on a white background with black tiles forming an interlinked pattern ( I saw similar patterns in the Bahia Palace and Saadian tombs)

Above the zellij are panels of intricate lace like stucco work, with extracts from the Koran.
The artwork follows geometric patterns, often repeated and intertwined- this is typical of Islamic Art, as depiction of living things is considered to be an insult to God, artists have perfected these decorative abstract and geometric patterns.

Above the stucco panels are carved cedar wood panels , again showing symetrical repeated designs.

Updated Apr 14, 2008

Address: Ali Ben Youssef Medersa, Marrakesh

Phone: + 212 (0)44 39 09 11/12

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Ali Ben Youssef Medersa - Urban Students room
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suvanki 2037 reviews
Urban students room, Ali Ben Youssef Medersa

Although the room is identical to that of the rural student (see previous tip) The Urban students possesions reflect their relative prosperity.

The number of items is the same, but of a higher quality, for example, the writing desk is more decorative, the candlesticks are brass (those of the rural student were plain wood)

Updated Apr 14, 2008

Address: Ali Ben Youssef Medersa, Marrakesh

Phone: + 212 (0)44 39 09 11/12

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Ali Ben Youssef Medersa - Rural Students room
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suvanki 2037 reviews
Rural students room, Ben Youssef Medersa

You can wander around most of the students cells, most are quite bare, without windows, some have a raised platform for extra sleeping space, some offer views through iron grilles onto the outside world!

There are about 130 rooms, and apparently about 900 students were crammed into these small cells! It was the largest Koranic university in North Africa.

On the second storey are a couple of mock ups of a students room (presumably these are for the senior students- not much room even with the limited items they were allowed to bring with them.
This room shows the items that a rural student would use for studying and in looking after himself.

These items included, a writing desk, pens, candlestick, oil lamp, a tagine, cooking pans and bowls, tea containers, equipment for tea making, pots for dried fruits, a water vessel, a prayer rug, and a rug for sleeping on.

You can't actually enter this room, but you can view from the doorway.

Luckily there weren't too many visitors at the time I visited, but I should imagine when busy, you might not get such an uninterrupted viewing.

Updated Apr 14, 2008

Address: Ali Ben Youssef Medersa

Phone: + 212 (0)44 39 09 11/12

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