Marrakech
In Morocco there are several towns called labyrinths.
Among them, in Marrakech you can enjoy lost in the market full of fun bustle. The more hot the night is, the more hot and vibrant it starts to overflow.
But there is also a square where the dead gather.
Marrakech is the second or third largest city in Morocco
It is located in the west of North Africa and is separated from Spain located at the southwest end of Europe by the 1.4 km wide Gibraltar Strait.
Morocco touches Algeria and Mauritania across Spain across the Gibraltar Strait in the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Mediterranean Sea to the east, and the Atlas Mountains to the south. Marrakech is located in the middle of Morocco.
Besides the biggest city Casablanca, the second city is said to be the third largest city with the capital city Rabat in between, but its popularity is also less than Casablanca.
"Pearl from the South" is a nickname expressing the beauty and preciousness of Morocco
What city is Marrakesh?
Marrakesh means "the country of God" in the words of Berber. Berber people, including their mixed blood, still occupy one third of the inhabitants. It is an indigenous group of North Africa that keeps its own culture.
Berber is derived from the Greek word "who speaks unknown words", and the local Berbers are calling Amazig. Amazig is said to mean "noble person", "free person".
In addition, although it is an Arabic-speaking area, it is said that the French language is easier to communicate than the French colonial era.
History of Marrakech
Marrakesh was given full-fledged urban development during the Murabit period in the 11th century. Many mosques and irrigation facilities were prepared, but many were destroyed by the Murachid morning of the 12th century.
The existing Koutoubia · Mosque Tower (Minaret) was built by the Murachid morning and is a landmark presence in the old city center Medina in Marrakesh.
In Marrakesh, where many dynasties repeated rising and falling, every time the dynasty changed, many buildings were rebuilt and added. And the current Marrakesh is finished.
Highlights of Marrakesh
In any case, it can be said that the charm of Marrakesh is packed in an atmosphere like a different dimension or a different world which historical buildings and the city itself are producing.
In the old city center called Medina, there is a castle town surrounded by old walls. A high rampart built to protect the city from enemy attacks. Inside it was built a fort and a dwelling surrounded by red walls was made.
The current Medina is also as it is. In the alley surrounded by red walls, there are doors and cutout windows, but flat walls are everywhere.
Marrakech as a World Heritage Site
The old city of Marrakesh was registered as a World Heritage Site as "Cultural Heritage" in 1985.
Furthermore, the unique culture of Jemaa Elvena Square was also registered as "Intangible Cultural Heritage" in 2009.
The area called "cultural space of Jena El Fna Square" historically has become the center of culture and trade. And still it is still a vibrant square that keeps its bustle
It seems like I got into a huge festival ~ Jemaa El Fna square
Anyway, the top attractions in Marrakech are "Jema El Fna Square". The attention to note here is its miscellaneousness.
It is just a spacious open space in the daytime, occasionally a dusty place where street performers appear, carriages pass by, children rush.
There are many restaurants and cafes in the building around the square, travelers wait while enjoying tea to start it. So where did the spring come from when the evening approached? With the momentum of wanting to crank the neck, the tent stands in the square, the wagons line up, Gotha and carpet are laid, and colorful items are arranged in a blink of an eye in a blink of an eye.
Every momentary blinking, the sight that changes is amazing.
There seems to be no restrictions on what can be sold at the department, whether the orange juice shop is arranging more than 5 restaurants, an old man shouting something with a broken hawk, an aunt who starts arranging home garba, is just an antique Instruments and furniture which do not know whether it is a missing item are lined with spoofers.
A huge market where the night is real
When the neighborhood gets dark, the plaza is bustling with things, people and noise. Of course, a lot of stalls began to line up, and a good smell drifted. Popular shops have rows, folding tables and chairs are filled tightly.
It is not only the smell that drifts. Marrakech is supposed to drop the temperature if the sun goes down, but in this square it's hot even when it's midnight.
I forget both the feeling of time and the sense of direction and it seems I got lost in a huge flea or festival
Souq
In the north of chaotic and bustling Jemaa El Fna Square, the market is further expanding. The attention point here is how to display the merchandise of the store.
The streets of Marrakesh, which was the trade point of the Sahara desert in the south and the coastal city in the north, remained intact, but it is clear that there are many shops because the frontage of the house is wider than in other areas.
In a souk that is surrounded by red walls and has colorful miscellaneous goods based on red, we arrange the items in the store and do not take the style of customers entering the store and shopping.
In front of the shop are full of artistically arranged pots, spices, fruits and so on. Even if I stop my eyes and stop my feet, I can not reach out for that beautiful display. Then the store number came calling from inside. Here, the list price does not exist. It is commonplace to decide the price by negotiation.
Tower of Koutoubia · Mosque
Minaret 77 m in height is a symbol tower in Marrakesh. It is lighted up in the evening, overlooking the city.
It was said that an error was found in the direction towards Mecca at the time of construction, it was destroyed and rebuilt.
It is a minaret of the Moor style which has the height and history which is regarded as the world's top three towers.
The completed mosque seems to have a place of worship that can accommodate 25,000 people, except for Muslims, you are not allowed to enter.
Menara garden
A park with a huge pond built in the 12th century. It was made as a royal residence of the king, and he seems to hav
e been used as a date spot for the royal family.
It has a role as a reservoir, and it spreads as far as the olive field looks.
Although there were no remaining Higashiya (pavilion) etc at the time of construction, you can see the beautifully restored figure, you can imagine how the sultans of that time were cool by the waterside.
Sardin Temple
It is the tomb of the Sultans who flourished from the 16th to the 17th century and is not gorgeous like the mosques and mausoleas of Turkey, India and Spain, but it is decorated with delicate and calming shades of mosaics.
The inside of the mausoleum which used plenty of Italian marble pillars abounds a rugged atmosphere.
Agnou gate
The Medina is surrounded by 2 km east-west, 3 km north-south wall, and is also registered as a World Heritage Site. On the walls, entrances (gates) cut out in the form of mosques are made in some places.
In the gate, such a gate is a gate that stands out in reddish-town surrounded by red-colored walls.
Looking from afar, it seems like simple masonry, but in fact the fact is that it is a delicate gate where fine patterns were dug up tightly.
Baffia Palace
An elegant palace surrounded by white walls and tiled floors and ceilings. Like the Islamic royal palace, rooms for several women are prepared.
In the center is a palace which lives in the king, and its surroundings are extensive gardens. Buildings built to enclose the courtyard are lined with women 's private rooms serving the king.
A man who knew too much
It is said that Jema El Fna Square was an execution place in the old days. "Jema El Fna" which is the name of the plaza is Arabic meaning "meeting place of the dead".
Such Jemaa El Fna Square also became the stage of Hitchcock's "man who knew too much". A couple and son who is traveling in Morocco is a suspense movie that is involved in the assassination plan.
If you are enjoying watching street performance at Jema El Fna Square, you will be present at the murder of the men who you met on the bus. It is a family that will get caught up in conspiracy.
While being kidnapped by a son, "sage, sera" sung by a singer is famous
Ethnic costumes / ethnic musical instruments / ethnic diet
The grandfathers hanging out on the bench in the plaza, the uncle who sells spices on the stalls, the uncle who demonstrates and sells musical instruments with strange shapes and sounds, even if they look very similar, they may be wearing a nodded national costume . Even though it is the same ethnic group, it seems that clothes will change depending on the region of origin and differences in faith.
In the plaza, ethnic groups of such places sell, demonstrate and display the respective instruments. It is an assortment that you want to stop your legs unintentionally, even if you are not interested in music, such as things you do not know well, mysterious sounds.
What I enjoy the most is food.
Couscous is a small pasta companion like rice. It is delicious when you eat it together with stewed dishes. In Morocco, sheep meat is widely eaten. Softly cooked stew and so on are rich in taste in Japan.
In addition, sausages and kabab (skewers) etc. always make a good smell on the stalls and appetite is poked.
how to access
It often goes through European cities such as Paris or Asian cities. It is possible to cross Europe and enter the country by ferry from Spain.
To Morocco domestic, using the train from Sablanca, it is not far from Shaen that is labyrinth of white and blue city Chewen, Labyrinth of the world and Fes of history nearby. You can approach by long distance bus etc.
Notes
The security is good in Africa, but damage such as withdrawal, pickpocket and sweeping are few.
Although it is an area where a woman alone can travel, it is an Islamic country, avoiding exposure of the skin, because it is not a dangerous atmosphere store from the view of the alley behind the alley, even though it is not a shop with less popularity, Recommend attention
Finally
Because it is located in Africa, an Islamic sightseeing site, there are many voices worrying about security.
Certainly in Marrakech, there are also many customers, there are many pickpockets and pickles, it may be a daily chicken thing to get bored. However, it is a kind of accident that happens to those who do not know the local rules.
In countries where religion, culture, history and ethnicity are different, as "As entering the village into the village", first observe the lives of the people of Marrakesh and learn their rules.
Especially in the market of the Old Town, it is a shortcut to safe and pleasant shopping and walking, to be recognized as a single customer rather than as a traveler.
Why do not you express the impression that only visitors can feel by photos, videos, and words? Please tell me about your journey.
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