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This Medersa is the largest theological college in the Maghreb (the West - area covered by Morocco, Tunisia , Algeria and Libya-lit. where the sun sets!)
Built in 1565, then rebuilt in the 16th and 19th centurys with restoration work completed in the 1960's.
This Medersa is unique - in being the largest, and having a different layout.
The students cells (about 130) are clustered around 7 courtyards, with some looking onto the outside streets, which is unusual in Moroccan/Andalucian architecture.
Walking down a corridor (after paying) you turn right into a courtyard, (turn round to admire the ornate carved and painted door) with a large pool. I was mesmorised by the stunning reflection of the door in the pool!
Some stunning stucco decorative panels, tiled zellij bases and ceder wood carvings to admire.
Climb the stairs for views of the students cells. (There are a couple of mock ups of a city and rural students rooms)
Peep through the windows for a 'secret' view onto the streets below. ( Some offer a view onto 'local life' that you may not be able to photograph normally!) or views onto the courtyard below.
If viewing the Medersa, The Marrakesh Museum and Koubba Ba'adiyn (all within a very short walk) there is a discount ticket for 50dh (25dh for children/senior citizens) Otherwise it is 30 dh (15dh ) for this 1 site.
open 0900 - 1900 April - Sept
0900 - 1800 Oct - March Leave a Comment Address: Near the souksPhone: + 212 (0)44 39 09 11/12Directions: From Djemma el Fnaa, walk up Rue Souq Smarine to the leather souk, then ask directions, or get a taxi!
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 elaborate bronze entrance
door,stucco and zellij by angiebabe, 4 more photos
and so umimpressed that i had been to Marrakech frequently for 3 or 4 years and never got to see this until off on my own bat in March this year!!, and also that ive gone charging around Andalucian Spain to see historical Moorish architecture and design and here is this lovely Medersa!!
I had previously tried to see the famed Bou Inania and El Attarine Medersas in Fes and the one in Sale and all had been closed for renovations - but getting to see the Ben Yousseff was so worthwhile. Luckily this medersa was much restored in the 1960s (in time for my visit!?)
This medersa (Koranic school) is one of the finest and largest in North Africa with a capacity for up to 900 students(?in those tiny little rooms!?)and was founded by a Merenid Sultan in the mid 14th century and then rebuilt by the Saadian sultan Moulay Abdullah in 1565 apparently to express his desire to restore to Marrakech the prestige of an imperial capital and also to affirm his devotion to Allah
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Its name is taken from the Almoravid mosque of Ali ben Youssef to which it once was attached but architecturally, with its sumptuous decoration, it is still regarded on a par with the other Merenid medersas.
The main entrance door of bronze with a carved cedar lintel opens onto a mosaic paved corridor which leads to the courtyard paved with white marble and ablutions pool. The walls are decorated with zellij tilework and carved plaster (stucco).
The students cells on the ground and upper floors open onto the courtyard and those that are shielded are arranged around 7 smaller interior courtyards.
An ornate doorway leads through to the prayer hall with columns with calligraphy praising
Moulay Abdullah and crowned with a cedar dome. The mihrab is decorated with verses from the koran.
A combo ticket is available for 60 dhm but must be visited in the order of the lovely Musee du Marrakech first, then the Medersa and lastly the Koubba, both only a few mins walk away! Leave a Comment Address: Place Ben YousseffPhone: + 212 (0)44 39 09 11/12Directions: You will see it marked on any good map of Marrakech, northerly in the medina, sort of in the direction or not far from the Tanners quarters.
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 Courtyard of the Medersa by aaaarrgh
The Medersa was once a great college of theology and religious law. Our Moroccan guide told us that it was part of the oldest university in the world, dating from the 9th century. You can believe this if you want! The present building was constructed in 1565, and Marrakech was apparently founded in 1062. Islam had spread across the whole of North Africa by the 7th century, so maybe the guide was right.
Medersa Ali ben Youssef surrounds a grand courtyard. Very tranquil, very cool, with a shallow stone pool. The lower walls are decorated with mosaic, showing the many different stars of the Islamic religion. The upper walls are covered with intricate stucco work. The roof is made of carved cedar wood.
The upper floors that look out over the courtyard are filled with dozens of tiny cells, to house the students. You can go into almost all of them. A few are furnished.
There is a small shop selling postcards and souvenirs. The entrance fee is very cheap, I can't remember exactly how much - we visited as part of a wider tour of the old city! Leave a Comment Address: Next door to Mosque Ali ben YoussefPhone: + 212 (0)44 39 09 11/12Directions: Very north of the souq (bazaar) district. Look for the series of arches that mark the entrance to the Medersa.
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 by mafi_moya
There's a beautiful huge courtyard in the centre, complete with tiled pool and Qu'ranic verses intricately carved into the walls and pillars. The student 'cells' have their own mini-courtyards surrounding the main centre and you're free to wander around. If you've read my other tips you'll know that I find these old buildings extraordinarily beautiful and relaxing - and this is one of the best.
Ali ben Youssef was a 12th century Almoravid sultan and he obviously made a big impression as there's also a mosque named after him. Leave a Comment Directions: Next to the mosque of the same name, it's just off Place ben Youssef - next to the museum.
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 by mafi_moyaLeave a Comment
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 Courtyard and pool, Ben
Youssef Medersa by suvanki
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. Leave a Comment Address: Ali Ben Youssef Medersa, MarrakeshPhone: + 212 (0)44 39 09 11/12Directions: See previous tips
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 by travelmad478Leave a Comment Phone: + 212 (0)44 39 09 11/12
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 Student's rooms Merdessa Ben
Youssef by diagevaLeave a Comment Phone: + 212 (0)44 39 09 11/12
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 Mederssa Ben Youssef by diagevaLeave a Comment Phone: + 212 (0)44 39 09 11/12
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 Rural students room, Ben
Youssef Medersa by suvanki
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. Leave a Comment Address: Ali Ben Youssef MedersaPhone: + 212 (0)44 39 09 11/12Directions: To the north of Djemma el Fnaa, head through the souks, up Rue Souk Smarine, when you get to the end of the leather souk, you should be getting near- just ask! (but expect to pay if taken there!)
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