Marrakech

Marrakech or Marakesh, known as the "Red City" or Al Hamra, is a city in southwestern Morocco in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains.

Prior to the advent of the Almoravids in the 11th century, the area was ruled from the city of Aghmat. The Almoravid leader, Abu-Bakr Ibn-Umar, decided Aghmat was becoming overcrowded and decided to build a new capital. Being a nomad from the Sahara Desert, he decided to build it in a plain, away from the mountains and rivers, and chose the site of Marrakech as being in neutral territory between two tribes who were vying for the honor of hosting the new capital. Work started in May 1070, but Abu-Bakr was recalled to the Sahara to put down a rebellion in January 1071, and the city was completed by his deputy and eventual successor Yusuf ibn Tashfin.

Prior to the reign of Moulay Ismail, Marrakech was the capital of Morocco. After his reign, his grandson moved the capital back to Marrakech from Meknes.

Since centuries Marrakesh is known for its "seven saints." When sufism was at the height of its popularity Moulay Ismail decided to move the tombs of several renowned figures to Marrakesh to attract pilgrims in the same way Essaouira did at that time with its Regrega festivals. The "seven saints" (sebta rizjel) is now a firmly established institution, attracting visitors from everywhere. The seven saints include Sidi Muhammad al-Jazuli and Sidi Abu al-Qasim Al-Suhayli.

Mosques, medrassas, synagogues, and zaouias

• Koutoubia Mosque
• Ben Youssef Medrassa
• Ben Youssef Mosque
• Casbah Mosque
• Mansouria Mosque
• Bab Doukkala Mosque
• Mouassine Mosque
• Zaouia of Sidi Bel Abbes
• Zaouia of Sidi Ben Slimane al-Jazuli
• Zaouia of Sidi Youssef Ben Ali
• Sidi Moulay el Ksour Mosque
• Synagogue Beth-El
• Synagogue Salat el Azama
• Synagogue Salat Rabi Pinhasse

Palaces, dars, and villas

• El Badi Palace
• Royal Palace (Dar el Makhzen) and méchouars
• Bahia Palace
• Dar Si Saïd Museum
• Maison Tiskiwin
• Dar el Glaoui
• Villa Majorelle at the Majorelle Garden

Cemeteries, koubbas, and mausolea

• Saadian Tombs
  • Mausoleum of Ahmed el-Mansour
  • Second mausoleum
• Koubba of Fatima Zohra and Koutoubia Mosque cemetery
• Almoravid Koubba
• Koubba Cadi Ayyad
• Jewish cemetery
• Sidi Abd el Aziz
• Sidi es Suhayli

Handicrafts and business

• Souks
  • Souk Kimakhin (stringed instruments)
  • Souk el Bradiia (pitchers)
  • Souk Hadaddine (metalwork)
    • Souk Nahhassine (brass, copper)
  • Souk Chouari (basketry, woodturning)
  • Dyers' Souk, Wool Souk
  • Souk Smarine (clothing)
  • Rahba Quedima ("Old Square")
  • Souk el Kebir (leatherwork)
    • Kissarias
    • Souk el Batna (skins)
    • Souk el Maazi (goatskin)
  • Souk Zrabia (Criée Berbère, Carpet Souk)
  • Souk Fakharina
  • Souk Siyyaghin (jewelry)
  • Souk Smata (slippers, belts)
  • Souk aux tenturiers
  • Cherratine Souk
  • Attarine Souk
• Tanneries
• Hôtel la Mamounia
• Handicraft center
• Gidel Building
• Renaissance Café
• Société Générale
• Marjane hypermarket

Museums

• Dar Si Saïd Museum
• Marrakech Museum
• Bert Flint Museum at Maison Tiskiwin
• Islamic Art Museum at the Majorelle Garden

Plazas and squares

• Place Djemaâ el Fna: the biggest square in the African continent.
• Square Charles de Foucauld
• Place de la Liberté
• Place du 16 Novembre
• Place des Ferblantiers
• Place Youssef Ben Tachfine
• Place Mourabiten
• square Bir Anzaran

Gardens and parks

• Palm Grove
• Majorelle Garden
• Menara gardens and olive grove
• Agdal Garden
• Koutoubia Mosque park at Square de Foucauld
  

Information based on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marrakech