The Medina of Marrakech represents the original and oldest section of the current city. Surrounded by a wall, the area incapsulates the age, history, and ongoing changes of Marrakech. Marrakech, "Marocsh" in Arabic, is an ancient city with much importance for the whole country. The country of Morocco got it's name in the West from the Arabic name for Morocco. In ancient times, cities were built with surrounding walls for protection and control. The Medina is that older section. When the French colonized Morocco they built their part of the city outside the walls. The French neighborhood is called Gueliz and is where the Center for Language and Culture is located.
On Friday we went on a more extensive tour of the Medina with Brahim and Mr. Fitzgerald to explain all of the significant places. Loaded with our cameras and touristy appearance we set off, habitually denying we are tourists. The first landmark is the Koutoubia, a huge minaret towards the center of the Medina. We had a quick lesson on Islamic architecture, standing in the ruins of the old mosque there. Did you know that much of the inspiration for the arches of mosques comes from the simple idea of layered palm fronds? Then we entered into the "Souks" or shops which is a confusing network of paths winding around. Down these streets you find shops with leather bags, carpets, kaftans, metal instruments, and "hanuits" (little shops that sell everyday goods). Also, motorbikes, bikes, pedestrians, and donkey carts fight for space on the 5 foot wide street. Deep in the Medina one loses their sense of direction and becomes immersed in a world beyond what you could imagine, a world more traditional, crowded, and unusual.
Once we walked inside, we saw palace gates, saints tombs, shops, traditional "foundocks" where venders would sell their wares, schools, a communal oven, and "riads" (Moroccan style homes).
Medersa Ben Youssef - an old religious school that is now a museum
Koutoubia Mosque
A hanuit
No comments:
Post a Comment