Marrakech — Koutoubia, palaces and the square of fortune tellers

The old part of Marrakech, known as the Medina, is surrounded by massive walls made of pink-ochre clay that stretch for almost 20 kilometers. These huge adobe walls enclose a treasure trove of beautiful things, like stunning carpets, intricately designed silver teapots, and colorful jewelry boxes. You'll also find soft toys, mostly in the shape of camels, as well as an array of perfumes, sweets, and spices that fill the air with their enticing aromas. Mirrors and leather goods are also plentiful, alongside many small, curious items that might puzzle some European visitors, as their purpose isn't immediately clear. The Medina's charm lies in its ability to attract and fascinate, with all these wonders and more waiting to be discovered within its ancient, clay walls.

Narrow labyrinths of streets, full of noisy merchants, dizzying aromas of spices and colorful chaos, resemble a real oriental fairy tale.

"Want to explore the city with me?" I said, trying to sound casual.
The daughter looked up at her parent and asked, "And how will we do it?"
Arian said with a grin, "Let's go shake his hand and say, 'Hey, Marrakech, we're going to show you what you're really famous for!'".
Erica laughed and we went for a walk. The first thing we saw was the minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque.

"Hey, doesn't this tower look familiar?" Erica asked, a hint of curiosity in her voice, as if she was trying to place where they had seen it before.

Arian replied, "That's right, Rikusya, you're a young lady with a keen eye for history! I remember when we visited Seville, we saw the Giralda Tower, and it's really similar to this one. I found out that it was actually inspired by this tower, and that's what makes it so interesting."

He even remembered that both buildings were built during the Almohad dynasty.

The Koutoubia mosque is really big, it's the largest one in Marrakech. The name Koutoubia actually means "mosque of the booksellers" because a long time ago, there were a lot of people selling manuscripts and books around it, and it was a really busy place for that kind of trade.

Next, we headed to the Ben Youssef Madrasa, a grandiose 16th-century Islamic religious school that once housed hundreds of students. Today, it is one of the most beautiful museums in Marrakech.

We literally held our breath when we saw its luxurious courtyard. In the center of the complex is a lovely swimming pool. And the huge mirrors installed on both sides of the rooms visually increase the space, making the building seem much more spacious.

The students' living quarters were surprisingly simple, resembling monastic cells more than modern dorm rooms. What struck us was their evident passion for learning, despite the cramped conditions - the bedrooms were so small that only a young child, like our five-year-old Erica, could easily enter without having to duck down. It was a truly austere environment, with no frills or comforts to speak of, yet the students seemed to thrive in this setting, their desire for knowledge and understanding driving them to make the most of their sparse surroundings.

The Bahia Palace really left a mark on us, it's this amazing place from the 1800s that shows off the richness of the Arab world. Every room is a work of art, with intricate cedar carvings, beautiful stucco molding, and vibrant zuleij mosaics that catch your eye. But the pièce de résistance is the huge courtyard, which is surrounded by the private quarters of the Grand Vizier's four wives and many concubines. The whole complex is like a treasure trove of stunning architecture and design, with each element carefully crafted to reflect the grandeur of the Arab world. As you walk through the palace, you can't help but be impressed by the attention to detail and the sheer opulence of it all.

The courtyard, in particular, is a masterpiece, with its elegant proportions and beautiful tile work. It's a testament to the wealth and power of the Grand Vizier, and a reminder of the rich cultural heritage of the Arab world.
The El Badi Palace is now just a shadow of its former self, with only ruins left to tell its story. It was built by Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur to celebrate a big win over the Portuguese, and he spared no expense in making it happen. The walls of the palace were adorned with all sorts of precious materials like gold, turquoise, crystal, and Italian marble, making it a truly breathtaking sight. But, as fate would have it, the next ruler who came along decided to tear the palace down, taking all the valuable materials for himself to build a new capital. Fast forward to today, and all that's left of El Badi are its massive adobe walls, which still manage to impress with their sheer scale, and the storks that have made their homes on top of the ancient walls.

Despite being in ruins, the palace still has a certain charm to it, a reminder of the grandeur that once was. The walls, though worn and weathered, stand tall, a testament to the ingenuity and craftsmanship of the people who built them. And as you walk through the ruins, you can't help but feel a sense of awe at the history that surrounds you, and the stories that these walls could tell if only they could speak.

Look, a family of storks, just like ours - they have four too, Erica said with a big smile.

We then made our way to the Saadian tombs, which is where the members of the powerful sultan dynasty were laid to rest. What's really amazing is that this complex has managed to survive all these years, and it's because the next ruler didn't want to disturb the holy ground, so he just had all the entrances sealed off with walls. As a result, the tombs were left untouched for nearly two centuries, until they were stumbled upon by chance during an aerial photography shoot. The fact that they were hidden away for so long is a big part of why they're still in such good condition today.

As the sun began to set, we took a stroll around the famous Jemaa el-Fna square, and what we saw was truly breathtaking - a real-life open-air show. As dusk fell, the whole area transformed into a massive outdoor theater, where a fascinating spectacle unfolded, one that had been repeated, almost unchanged, for centuries. It's a place like no other, which is why UNESCO has recognized it as a masterpiece of humanity's intangible heritage, specifically for its role in preserving the vibrant traditions of urban culture that have been passed down through generations. The square comes alive in the evening, and it's an experience that's hard to forget, with its unique blend of music, food, and entertainment. As we walked around, we could feel the energy of the place, and it was clear why it's considered one of the most unique and fascinating destinations in the world.

It's complete chaos here, but in a good way. You can hear traditional music playing on pipes, and snake charmers are sitting on the ground, making cobras stand up. There are also monkeys running around, wearing funny outfits, and fortune tellers are nearby, laying out cards or painting henna designs on their hands. They claim they can tell you what's going to happen in your future if you want to know. The whole scene is really something, with all these different things going on at the same time. The snake charmers are pretty amazing, and the monkeys are hilarious. And the fortune tellers seem really confident that they can predict what's going to happen to you. It's all a bit overwhelming, but it's also kind of exciting.

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