El Badi Palace

Welcome to Marrakesh, affectionately known throughout history as the Red City or the Rose City, owing to the distinctive hue of its ancient twelfth century walls and sandstone architecture. Today, you stand at the threshold of…

As you step through the entrance corridors and emerge into the main precinct, the first sensation is an overwhelming encounter with sheer scale. You are immediately flanked by massive, towering walls constructed of rammed earth…

You have now entered the central courtyard of El Badi Palace, and the sheer magnitude of the space commands immediate silence. Measuring an astonishing one hundred and thirty five meters long by one hundred and ten meters wide,…

Dominating the central axis of the vast courtyard is the immense outline of the main reflecting pool. Though it often stands dry today, its massive rectangular footprint remains an unmistakable focal point of the palace's…

Arranged symmetrically around the central water features are four enormous rectangular depressions in the earth. These are the famous sunken gardens of El Badi Palace, a brilliant architectural innovation that seamlessly blended…

Standing at the prominent raised platforms situated along the axes of the courtyard, you are located at the footprints of the legendary Grand Pavilions. Originally, four massive, beautifully proportioned structures anchored the…

Prepare to leave the blinding North African sun behind as you descend a stone staircase into the subterranean depths of El Badi Palace. As you cross the threshold into the underground labyrinth, notice the immediate, dramatic…

Emerging from the depths of the underground labyrinth, make your way to the enclosed exhibition spaces located within the palace grounds. Here, protected from the elements and preserved for modern visitors, is a small but vital…

To conclude the physical exploration of El Badi, present your entrance ticket to the attendant and make the climb up the narrow, ancient stairways to the rooftop terrace. As you emerge onto the elevated platform, a breathtaking,…

As your journey through the ruins of El Badi comes to an end, it is worth pausing near the exit to reflect on the monumental narrative you have just walked through. We began our tour by discussing the boundless ambition of Sultan…