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Saadian Tombs, Marrakesh
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Saadian Tombs, Marrakesh

Saadian Tombs - Marrakesh
Saadian Tombs
by sue_stone
Saadian Tombs tips and photos posted by real travelers and Marrakesh locals.
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Saadian Tombs: Saadian tombs
  • Tip Rating:
  • mafi_moya
  • Updated By mafi_moya on May 20, 2004
  • Marrakesh Page by mafi_moya
  • Saadian Tombs - Marrakesh
    by mafi_moya
    The Saadians were an Arabian dynasty that ruled much of southern Morocco in the 16th and 17th centuries, often successfully waging war against Portuguese invaders. Marrakech was their capital.

    Sultan Ahmed al-Mansour created these tombs for himself, his family and ancestors. In total nearly 200 Saadians are buried here, most in the yard and the most important in the lavishly decorated halls. The tombs were sealed and only rediscovered in 1917 so their original splendour is still intact and the intricate detail is pretty breathtaking.

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  • Directions: Down the Rue de la Kasbah near the city walls in the old city, beneath the minaret of the Kasbah mosque.
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    Saadian Tombs: Saadian Tombs
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  • sue_stone
  • By sue_stone on February 15, 2007
  • Marrakesh Page by sue_stone
  • Saadian Tombs - Marrakesh
    Saadian Tombs
    by sue_stone, 4 more photos
    A highly recommended place to visit in Marrakech are the Saadian tombs, located just near the Kasbah Mosque in the Kasbah district.

    The tombs date back to the time of the Sultan Ahmad I al-Mansur, who died in 1603. Amazingly, the tombs were only re-discovered in 1917, and have since been restored.

    The complex is home to tombs of about 60 members of the Saadi Dynasty. Most of the tombs have been arranged in two separate mausoleums which overlook a garden. The most famous room is the one with twelve marble columns, as this is where Ahmad I al-Mansur and his family have been laid to rest.

    Outside the building is a pretty garden, and the graves of soldiers and servants can been seen here beneath the orange trees.

    Opening Hours:
    8am-12pm & 2.30pm-6pm

    Admission Price:
    10 dirham

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  • Address: Rue de la Kasbah, Kasbah - Marrakech Medina
  • Directions: In the Kasbah district of the Medina, just next to the Kasbah Mosque
  • Website: http://www.marrakeshguide.com/files/saadiantombs.htm
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    Saadian Tombs: A highlight in burial decoration.
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  • belgianchocolate
  • Updated By belgianchocolate on April 12, 2005
  • Marrakesh Page by belgianchocolate
  • Saadian Tombs - Marrakesh
    by belgianchocolate

    First complete day...we took the taxi and
    had us dropped of in front of the 'saadian tombs'.

    These tombs are one of the most artistic
    monuments in Morocco. Moulay Ismaïl didn't
    dare to destroy these graves...but he didn't want
    anybody to see them. Moulay Ismaïl was the next
    ruler after the Saadian dynasty. He destroyed the
    palace 'el Badi' and used pieces of it to decorate
    his own palace. The Saadian tombs , he had
    them immured.

    It was after 300 years that the tombs were rediscovered
    in 1917. And they are in amazing shape.


    They made a special entrance for tourists
    since entering through the moskee is a big nono.
    10 dirham to admire these treasures is
    peanuts if you ask me.


    You arrive in a peaceful garden with little
    sober white tombs in the grass. In the middle ,
    where the picture is taken , you can find the
    tomb of the Sultans mother , 'Lalla Massaouda'.

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    Saadian Tombs: Saadies Tombs
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  • diageva
  • By diageva on January 10, 2004
  • Marrakesh Page by diageva
  • Saadies Tombs - Marrakesh
    Saadies Tombs
    by diageva
    The Saadies Tombs, one of the most wonderful example of the arquitecture of saadies period, where hidden under earth and walls by sultán alauí, trying to erase the tracks of its predecessors saadies. Thank god, they where not destroy as other places because is a holly place ...
    It is a costum to try to destroy every sing of predecesor diferents dinasties ... :(((
    Nowadays, despite of its value, they are not all the conservated they should be ...
    8:30- 11:45, 14:30- 17:45
    10 Dirham

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  • Address: Rue de la Kasba
  • Directions: in the old Medina. I founded difulcult to find the place throught the medina ... the easiest way to accede to the site is through the entrance of the medina's wall Bab Agnaou ... walkink to the door, buy bus, horse carriage or taking a pettit taxi.
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    Saadian Tombs: Fine example of Moroccan-Andalusian decorative art
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  • angiebabe
  • Updated By angiebabe on June 24, 2009
  • Marrakesh Page by angiebabe
  • Saadian Tombs - Marrakesh
    by angiebabe,
    4 more photos
    A visit here will lead you to the mausoleum of the Saadians held as containing one of the finest examples of Moroccan-Andalusian decorative art.

    The Saadian sultan Ahmed Al-Mansour, also responsible for the Palais el-Badi which at the time of its construction was regarded as one of the most beautiful in the world but plundered by Moulay Ismail in 1696 to build his capital in Meknes, started building this necropolis in the 1500s.

    Thankfully instead of plundering the mausoleum Moulay Ismail sealed the tombs which in effect preserved the opulence and artistry that was found when rediscovered in 1917 by a French General on an aerial survey of the area. A passageway was made down into the tombs which have since been unsealed and restored.

    The mausoleum is divided into 3 halls - the central hall named The Hall of the Twelve Columns. In amongst the columns made of Italian marble are the tombs of sultan Ahmed Al-Mansour, his successors ( his son and grandson) and their closest family members (66 Saadians). There are more than 100 buried outside the main buildings. A small but elegant mausoleum houses the tomb of Ahmed Al-Mansour's mother.

    Opens daily but closed for lunch appx 12-2.30 each day.
    only 10 dirham for entry ticket - about 1 euro.

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  • Directions: alongside the Kasbah Mosque - follow the signs down a narrow alleyway at the southern edge of the mosque
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    Saadian Tombs: The Hall of the Twelve Columns
  • Tip Rating:
  • mafi_moya
  • By mafi_moya on March 15, 2004
  • Marrakesh Page by mafi_moya
  • Saadian Tombs - Marrakesh
    by mafi_moya
    According to the tourist spiel, this great hall - part of the Saadian tombs - is the "finest example of Moroccan-Andalucian decorative art." And who am I to argue?

    The hall is absolutely stunning - how much time and money it must have cost I couldn't even imagine. Sultan al-Mansour, his mother and his kids are buried inside amid the marble columns.

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  • Directions: Inside the Saadian tombs
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    Saadian Tombs: Tombeaux Saâdiens
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  • MM212
  • Updated By MM212 on December 8, 2006
  • Marrakesh Page by MM212
  • Saadien Tombs - Marrakesh
    Saadien Tombs
    by MM212,
    4 more photos
    Built in the 16th century by Ahmed "The Golden" over his father's tomb, the Saadian Tombs then became the burial ground for the Saadian dynasty and other notables. The beautiful burial chambers are a testament to the splendour of the Saadian period. When Moulay Ismail of the Alaouite dynasty later ruled Marrakech, he order the destruction of all of the palaces built by the Saadians, but dared not touch their tombs. Instead he walled them off and out of sight. The tombs were forgotten over the centuries only to be rediscovered in 1917. Today, they dazzle visitors by the magnificence of their arabo-andalusian architecture. For additional photos of this architectural wonder, check out my travelogue: Tombeaux Saadiens.

  • Address: Place Moulay Yazid at rue de la Kasbah
  • Directions: In the Kasbah of Marrakech, adjacent to Mosquée Yacoub el-Mansour near Bab Agnaou
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    Saadian Tombs: Saadian tombs
  • Tip Rating:
  • travelmad478
  • By travelmad478 on January 11, 2004
  • Marrakesh Page by travelmad478
  • Saadian Tombs - Marrakesh
    by travelmad478
    The Saadian complex contains tombs of dozens of princes and other royals from the reign of Ahmed al-Mansour. The walled complex contains several buildings and a garden, right in in Marrakesh's old city. Amazingly, these tombs were "lost" between the 16th century and 1917, when they were rediscovered by a group of World War I pilots. Since then, they have been restored.

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  • Directions: in the old Medina
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    Saadian Tombs: Saadian Tombs Inside
  • Tip Rating:
  • diageva
  • By diageva on January 10, 2004
  • Marrakesh Page by diageva
  • Saadian Tombs Inside - Marrakesh
    Saadian Tombs Inside
    by diageva
    There are in this place 3 diferents rooms with tombs pne of the is the one for "children" ( men that where not married where also call children ). All the garden or patio is also full of tombs. Incredible work from the floor to the ceiling.

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  • Directions: in the old Medina
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    Saadian Tombs: Saadian tombs
  • Tip Rating:
  • Bigjones
  • Updated By Bigjones on January 7, 2004
  • Marrakesh Page by Bigjones
  • Saadian tombs - Marrakesh
    Saadian tombs
    by Bigjones
    A beautiful necropolis that looks more like a garden than a cemetary. It smells like roses and rosemary. There is a superb white datura at the entrance and palm trees. The tombs themselves are richly decorated with coloured mosaics. Inside the mausoleum, the rooms are also richly decorated, with magnificent domed ceilings, stalactite plaster work, intricate carving and marble pillars.

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  • Address: rue de la Kasbah
  • Directions: in the old Medina
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