Saadian Tombs, Marrakesh, Morocco
Visited February 2011
The Saadian tombs in Marrakesh date back to the 16th and 17th centuries, and comprise the burials of over 50 members of the Saadian Dynasty. When the dynasty fell in 1696 the tombs fell into disuse and were forgotten about. They were rediscovered in 1917 and were restored by the Beaux-arts service.
The mausoleums which house the tombs are wonderfully decorated with Islamic tiles, wood carvings, columns and pillars, and have a feel similar to the Moorish architecture of Southern Spain. As well as the monumental architecture, there’s also a quiet garden with smaller tombs for soldiers and servants.
To find the tombs, go to the ancient Kasbah and look for the Almohad Mosque, and follow the signs from there down a path. The site isn’t very big, and there isn’t any interpretation (so take a guidebook!), but it’s worth a visit. It doesn’t seem to be too busy (being just far enough away from the centre of town to discourage visitors who’d rather be in the suq!), so is a quiet, shady place to while away 30 min to an hour.
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