Marrakesh, Morocco
With my photos from two trips to Marrakesh a few years ago, I would like to show the real, authentic, traditional side of the city, which is unfortunately increasingly being affected by modern mass and luxury tourism.
Marrakesh, founded in 1070 as the capital of the Almoravid dynasty, is also known as the “Gateway to Africa”. Traders and travelers have been meeting in the markets here for centuries. The red city walls, which were built in 1122-1123 by Ali ibn Yusuf, and other buildings made of red sandstone gave the city the nickname “Red City” or “Ochre City”. The entire medina (old town) of Marrakesh has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985.
The Djemaa el-Fna (cover picture) is one of the most famous squares in Africa and the center of urban activity and trade, a “bridge between past and present”.
In the past, this square was used for public executions by rulers who wanted to maintain their power by intimidating the public. The square attracted residents from the surrounding desert and mountains who came to trade here, and even today the square is populated by snake charmers, acrobats, magicians, mystics, musicians, monkey tamers, herb sellers, storytellers, dentists, pickpockets and entertainers in medieval dress. It is an experience to stroll across this square and through the medieval alleyways of the Marrakesh souks.