Marrakesh, the Menara

An elegant pavillon with green tiles reflecting in water of an immense basin, with in background, the Atlas Mountains: one of the symbol images of Marrakesh.
The huge central basin was dug in the XIIth century by the Almohades: it was intended to store rainwater as well as that coming from the close mountains (drained thanks to the system of "khettaras"). Its gardens, an immense olive grove surrounded by a cob wall, extend on a hundred hectares.

Where to sleep in Marrakesh?

The pavillon, of Saadian origin, was built towards 1866 under the reign of the sultan Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdallah.
PS : Daily visit, very pleasant walk during the sunset time, possible picnic in the shade of splendid olive-trees. Closing at 05:00 pm, the site is reopened at 08:00 pm a Sound & Light spectacle, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening.

Essaouira, the gates of the Medina

The Ramparts of the medina of Essaouira propose 2 types of gates architecture...
Bab Doukkala, Bab Marrakech and Bab Sbaa are masterpieces of Moroccan style characterized by their external and interior opening in Roman arches.

Where to sleep in Essaouira?

The second type of gates, as the gate of the Port built in 1769, is a significant example and a monumental realization with a triangular pediment of Greek style supported by grooved columns. It is connected to the port’s Sqala or Skala by a small bridge which spans a small basin where are anchored numerous fishery boats.