Marrakesh, the “Red City”
Built at the foothills of Atlas Mountains, surrounded by red walls, decorated with buildings of remarkable architecture, known as “red houses”, from which the city got its name. Marrakesh has always been a city that never sleeps. From a contact point for caravans during older times, to an international tourist destination nowadays, it is also a place a lot of Europeans choose as their permanent residence.
Marrakesh. An enchanting, cosmopolitan city, full of mystery, as if taken out of a fairytale. Marrakesh, an alternative, very interesting journey by URANIA TRAVEL in Morocco, starting from the city of Marrakesh. A fascinating city with flowers, scents, colors, sounds, smells, beauties.
No words can describe such beauty. A beauty that perfectly combines the old and the new, the traditional and the modern, and respectfully embraces all cultures that visit it on a daily basis through tourism. Travel with us and you will find that all visitors and strollers stand in awe before its beauties, are captivated by its scents and try to unravel its mysteries. In the old town of Marrakesh, the Medina, thousands of tourists from all around the world wander in the narrow alleys and “souks”. In the colorful bazaars, they seek the figures of the fairytales they have been told, they awaken their senses with the aromas and they taste everything the East has to offer. In this colorful and bustling Medina market, tourists can shop, choosing from thousands of products and objects of great interest
Trip to Morocco 2018
Marrakesh Jemaa El Fnaa. The bustling central square in Marrakesh. The iconic square of the city. The many-faced square. During the day it is occupied by all kinds of street vendors and artists that strive to sell their merchandise. Colorful fabrics and clothes, silver jewelry, jars and plates made of clay in a remarkable style, and of course, argan oil, a remedy for the skin of the face and of the body, fragranced with an intoxicating jasmine aroma. In the evening, the square transforms, the street vendors and artists go, and street illusionists and musicians with their long oriental songs, and an outdoor gastronomic feast is set. Here, one can taste local traditional dishes, a wide variety of fruit and nuts, as well as spices, all in great abundance. At the edge of the square, the Koutoubia Mosque minaret stands proud. Its construction is dated in the 12th century and the mosque got its name from the Arabic word “koutoub”, which means book. A building of rare Muslim architecture, frequented by believers, as well as scholars who helped those not knowing how to read and write, compose their letters, texts and whatever they needed. At the top of the minaret, there are three gilded balls that symbolize the three religions Muslims recognize. Islam, Christianity and Judaism. Entrance in the mosque is forbidden for non-Muslims, although the Muslim community in Marrakesh is more liberal than those in the Middle East.
Palaces and sightseeings, Morocco
Marrakesh, a city full of palaces and gardens. Our journey includes a visit to El Badi Palace. “Badi” means miracle, and it is indeed an architectural masterpiece. In Bahia Palace (which means “light”), the architecture, the carved wooden ceilings, the wall decorations and the magnificent gardens, were, in one word, spectacular. After the souks and the central square, this was the most interesting place for one to visit when in Marrakesh. A visit to Majorelle Garden definitely steals the show.
Majorelle Gardens were formed by French painter Louis Majorell, who settled there in 1923, bought the land and created the majestic gardens that he enriched with plants he brought from each of his journeys. In 1980, after a long period of abandonment, the gardens were bought by Yves Saint Laurent. The colors and culture of Marrakesh were a source of inspiration and the reason behind his most significant creations. The beautiful scenery is in perfect harmony with the distinctive colors Yves Saint Laurent used for the decoration of the house and the gardens.
