One of America’s oldest newspapers, The New York Times, ran a feature on the charms and tourist attractions of the nearly millennium-year-old walled city of Marrakech on Thursday, a city that combines “authenticity and modernity.”
Journalist Seth Sherwood wrote that the ancient medina of Marrakesh, now a UNESCO World Heritage site, forms the heart of Morocco’s one-time capital. He suggested a list of many must-visit locations in Marrakech.
Two of his highlights are the medieval Koutoubia mosque and the 16th-century El Badi Palace.
Noting the earthquake that struck the region last September, he said visitors can experience not only “a haven of Islamic architecture, dazzling traditional artisanship, cool contemporary design, and perhaps North Africa’s best restaurants and nightlife,” but they can also give much needed “moral and economic support to a region in recovery.”
For the discerning traveler, he proposed the “new city” of Gueliz. Constructed during the French colonial period, it is an underappreciated gem that beckons exploration, especially for art enthusiasts who will find themselves captivated by the modern art scene in Gueliz.
“Streets like Rue Tariq Bnou Ziad show why Marrakesh is an art capital of North Africa,” Sherwood wrote.
Galerie 38 showcases sub-Saharan art, while L’Blassa Art Space features works by young Arab-world artists. Galerie Siniya28, adorned with hanging serving trays and striking white walls, hosts exhibitions such as nature scenes by Moroccan painter Rita Alaoui.
For those who prefer a more authentic and less touristy experience in the Medina, away from the Jemaa el Fna marketplace, he suggested starting at Bab Doukkala, an ancient gate in the medina’s western wall, and exploring the local culture, shops, and fashion scene along the lanes of Rue Bab Doukkala, Rue Dar el Bacha, and Route Sidi Abdelaziz.
In the heart of the medina, he pointed out, the Museum of Confluences, housed in the restored Dar el Bacha, offers a glimpse into traditional Moroccan artisanship. The Medersa Ben Youssef, a recently restored, centuries-old religious school, also showcases contemporary fashion and Islamic decorative arts.
By exploring the medina’s labyrinthine souks, visitors can encounter skilled artisans crafting leather goods, spices, and more. The culinary scene is equally enchanting, with L’mida offering modern Moroccan dishes in a candlelit, romantic setting, and Kabana providing South Seas vibes and a panoramic view of the Koutoubia minaret.
The author also highlighted the city’s Jewish heritage, manifest in the old Mellah quarter, built in the 1500s, the Jewish cemetery, and historical synagogues such as Slat Lazama, now home to a museum.