Kasbah of Marrakesh

rdf:langString Kasbah of Marrakesh

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rdf:langString Location of the Royal Palace and other major areas in the Kasbah today

rdf:langString Aerial view of the Kasbah district from the southwest, with main landmarks indicated

rdf:langString The so-called "Portuguese Plan" illustrating the Kasbah in 1585. The Kasbah Mosque is visible to the upper left, the Grand Mechouar to the lower left, the Badi Palace near the upper right, and extensive gardens along the right side.

rdf:langString Approximate reconstruction of the Kasbah during the Saadian period: 1) Bab Agnaou, 2) large prison, 3) Kasbah Mosque, 4) Saadian Tombs, 5) Bab at-Tubul, 6) small prison, 7) arsenal, 8) stables, 9) Grand mechouar , 10) Gate to the royal palaces, 11) Small mechouar, 12) kitchens, 13) warehouses, 14) customs house, 15) stables, 16) Residences of the sultan and his family, 17) El Badi Palace, 18) Crystal Garden, 19) Public gardens

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rdf:langString Portuguese Plan of the Saadian Kasbah of Marrakesh.jpg

rdf:langString Marrakesch-Luft-1-CTH kasbah edit with labels.jpg

rdf:langString Marrakesh kasbah plan .png

rdf:langString Saadian Qasba5.png

rdf:langString The Kasbah of Marrakesh is a large walled district in the southern part of the medina of Marrakesh, Morocco, which historically served as the citadel (kasbah) and royal palace complex of the city. A large part of the district is still occupied by the official royal palace, the Dar al-Makhzen, which serves as the residence of the King of Morocco when he visits the city. The rest of the district consists of various neighbourhoods and monuments. It was founded by the Almohads in the late 12th century, with most of the construction carried out by Caliph Ya'qub al-Mansur (r. 1184–1199). Two of its most important surviving structures today, the Kasbah Mosque and the main gate of Bab Agnaou, date from al-Mansur's reign. The palace complex was neglected after the fall of the Almohads, but the Kasbah was restored and rebuilt by the Saadian dynasty in the 16th century, during the time of sultans Abdallah al-Ghalib and Ahmad al-Mansur, who created new palaces and extensive gardens. The Saadian Tombs and the ruins of the El Badi Palace date from this period. Abdallah al-Ghalib was also responsible for the creation of a Jewish quarter, the Mellah, adjoined to the Kasbah's eastern flank. Following another period of neglect and pillage, the palaces were rebuilt and redeveloped by the Alaouite sultan Muhammad ibn Abdallah who gave the Royal Palace (Dar al-Makhzen) and its surroundings much of their present form. Today the kasbah is no longer a restricted district, apart from the royal palace, and is a popular tourist attraction in the city.