For our last day in Marrakech, our tour started at 10. We would be led through a couple of the last sites and then be on our way.
Starting with the Ben Youseff Madaersa, which closed down in the mid 1900s, once having up to 900 students attending. This would be one of the four pillars for the Medina. Sa’id told us a lot about the history of the Moroccans and went on about several battles in which various European countries occupied Morocco. Their occupation left an interesting influence on their culture and architecture. It actually made a link back to what we saw in Portugal, Moorish being a combination of Morocco and Spanish.
Palace Bahia, built by a grand vizier in the 19th century. Named after the first and favorite wife of the vizier, the first out of four wives that would bear a child for him. Polygamy is a part of the religion, a method of spreading the religion through generations. However, there are rules. It is a maximum of four wives, each must be treated equally, and the previous wives must give permission to the husband for the next wife. In this case however, it was obvious that he showed favoritism and that was seen badly in religious eyes. The wives that he had were to show his wealth and power than to further the religion. He also had a place for 24 concubines… When Bahia became pregnant, he made an apartment especially for her, in case the other three wives would act upon their jealousy.
Our next stop would be the Saadian Tombs. These tombs held the bodies of a Royal family. The next ruler in Marrakech, intentional destroyed the existing palace but out of superstition did not destroy the Tombs, as they were a holy place. Instead, it was covered in garbage and rubble that it would not be rediscovered until 1917 and restored by a French association. The Tombs consisted of three rooms, one for the children, men, and women. The courtyard held the coffins of the soldiers and servants. The bodies are not cremated, but buried on their right side, facing the east.
Walking back towards the market, we pass once again, the oldest mosque in Marrakesh, Koutoubia Mosque. This site previously had another mosque built by the Almorhavids but was destroyed when another group took over Marrakech. This would be considered a great crime to destroy a holy building, but the excuse was that the previous mosque was misaligned to Mecca.
Back in the marketplace, we said goodbye to Sa’id and went for ice cream and lunch before returning to our Riad. Relax for about an hour or so and we’re off to the airport, one last walk through the Medina.
Goodbye, Morocco.
Hello, Ireland.
Our flight was a little delayed and we got to our hostel in Dublin around 1am. It was surreal being in Europe again after Africa. Such a different environment, cleaner streets, English. And the temperature. It was about 10 degrees Celsius when we landed. Morocco was about 40 degrees when we left. Ouch.
Sleep.
Ben Youseff Madaersa, Marrakech’s Gate, Bahia Palace, Saadian Tombs
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