Whose tomb is this? It is the tomb of Sidi Ali Bil Kasim. Very little is known about Sidi Ali Bil Kasim himself. However, the city of Marrakesh has a rich and interesting history.
Marrakesh was founded around 1070 by Abu Bakr ibn Umar. He was the chieftain of the Almoravid dynasty. The Almoravids sought to reform Islamic society. They ruled an emirate stretching from Senegal to Spain. Marrakesh became their capital.
Ali ibn Yusuf, his son, built the Ben Youssef Mosque. It was the city’s main mosque. He also built the city walls.
In 1125, Ibn Tumart settled south of Marrakesh. He founded the Almohad movement. Abd al-Mu’min captured Marrakesh in 1147. The Almohads purged the Almoravid population. Abd al-Mu’min founded the Kutubiyya Mosque.
The Almohad rulers also improved the water supply. Marrakesh became important economically. Many writers, artists, and intellectuals lived here.
In 1269, the Marinids conquered Marrakesh. Marrakesh lost its capital status to Fez. In the early 16th century, Marrakesh became the capital again. The Saadian sultans rebuilt the city.
Ahmad al-Mansur began El Badi Palace in 1578. The palace used marble from Italy. It was intended for receptions for ambassadors.
Marrakesh became popular among Sufi pilgrims. They came to visit the seven patron saints. The tombs of these saints were moved to Marrakesh. This attracted more pilgrims.
In 1907, Moulay Abd al-Hafid was proclaimed sultan in Marrakesh. In 1912, the French Protectorate was established. T’hami El Glaoui became Pasha of Marrakesh.
Since Morocco’s independence, Marrakesh has thrived as a tourist destination. In the 1960s, it became a hippie mecca. Yves Saint Laurent bought property here.
In 1985, UNESCO declared the old town a World Heritage Site. In 1994, the Marrakesh Agreement established the World Trade Organization. In 2011, a bomb attack took place in Jemaa el-Fnaa square.
The Jemaa el-Fnaa is a well-known square. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1985.
Marrakesh has the largest traditional market in Morocco. The city is known for its souks. The city walls were built in the 12th century. They give the city its nickname the “red city”.
The Menara Gardens were established in 1157. The Majorelle Garden was once the home of Jacques Majorelle.
The Koutoubia Mosque is one of the largest mosques in the city. Ben Youssef Mosque is named after Ali ibn Yusuf. The Saadian Tombs were built in the 16th century.
The Mellah of Marrakesh is the old Jewish Quarter. The Mamounia Hotel is a five-star hotel. The Marrakech Museum is housed in the Dar Menebhi Palace.
Two types of music are associated with Marrakesh. Moroccan music is influenced by Andalusian classical music. Gnaoua music is loud and funky.
Tanjia marrakshia is a local meal. It is cooked in a ceramic pot in hot ashes. The Moroccan tea culture is practiced in Marrakesh.
Marrakesh has several universities. The Ben Youssef Madrasa was an Islamic college. Football is a popular sport.
Marrakesh-Menara Airport is southwest of the city center. Marrakesh has long been an important center for healthcare.