Zappeion / Athens

Architect: Theophil Hansen, 1888, sponsor Evangelos Zappas. Built originally for the 1896 Summer Olympics, now a conference and exhibition centre. The Zappeion Exhibition Hall, Athens, Greece.

(CC BY-NC-SA)

S Samaras / National Garden

Marble bust of Spyros Samaras (1861-1917) composer, in the beautiful National Garden*. Central Athens, Greece.

 * "It is the quintessence of a park, the thing one feels sometimes in looking at a canvas or dreaming of a place one would like to be in and never finds." Henry Miller, The Colossus of Maroussi, 1939.

(CC BY-NC-SA)

Blue Star Naxos / Piraeus

One of the numerous car ferries docked at Piraeus, on the day after it was announced that Greece's 'left-wing' government had approved an offer from China's Cosco group to buy a 67 percent privatization stake in this massive port. Athens Urban Area, Greece.

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Moustakas / Monastiraki

Striking brise-soleil on a modern-style retail store. Seen from Monastiraki Square. Ermou 87-89, Athens, Greece.

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Adrianou / Athens

Part of Adrianou street seen from the upper level of the Stoa of Attalos. Excavations indicate that this street is the oldest in Athens still in use and on the same route for the last 2,500 years or so. Athens, Greece.

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Stoa of Attalos / Ionic Capital & Upper Storey

Original (fragments) of an Ionic capital from the Stoa of Attalos of C2BC. Pentelic marble with plaster repairs. The building was destroyed by the Herulians in AD267 but was reconstructed in the 1950s by the American School of Classical Studies. On display on the ground floor of the rebuilt Stoa. 

Reconstruction architect: John Travlos of the American School, works supervised by W Stuart Thompson and Phelps Barnum of NY.  Engineer: George Biris of Athens. Rebuilding finished in 1956. The upper storey (a small portion shown here) is accessed by stairs at either end of the building. Ancient Agora, Athens, Greece.

(Both pics are CC BY-NC-SA)

Doric column / Temple of Thorikos

Marble Doric column drums from the temple of Thorikos possibly reused in the Southeast Temple. Ancient Agora, Athens, Greece.

[Info source: The American School of Classical Studies at Athens].

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Hephaisteion / from SE

(CC BY-SA credit: Photo by George Rex)

Temple of Hephaestus, architect unknown (poss. Ictinus), seen from the Panathenaic Way near the Nymphaion. In the Doric style, built with Pentelic marble c.450-415 BC. One of the best-preserved ancient temples of Greece. Athens, Greece.

Church of the Holy Apostles / 2 images

The only medieval building in the Ancient Agora that has been preserved, situated partly over the much earlier Nymphaion. In a Byzantine style, early C11AD, restored 1950s. Athens, Greece.

The dome is the oldest example of the Byzantine Athenian type and the twin-light windows in the drum are considered unusual. The painting of the 'Pantokrator' (The All Powerful) is late C18 restoration work. 

(both images CC BY-NC-SA)

Road to Peiraieus / sign

Street sign in the Ancient Agora to the port of Ancient Athens. The modern transcription is usually Piraeus. Athens, Greece.

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Mt Lycabettus / Athens

Limestone hill, height 300m, overlooking the City of Athens. Viewed from the Ancient Agora, Athens, Greece.

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Hephaisteion / 2 images

Pronaos

Temple of Hephaestus, architect unknown (poss. Ictinus) c.450-415BC. Pentelic marble except lowest level of crepidoma which is limestone

SE corner

The two high-relief metopes that can be seen in this image have the Minotaur (right) and the Marathonian Bull as their subjects. In the distance is Mount Lycabettus. Kolonos Agoraios, Athens, Greece.

Hephaisteion / from foot of Agoraios Kolonos hill

Temple of Hephaestus, architect unknown (poss. Ictinus), seen from the agora. In the Doric style, built c.450-415 BC using Pentelic marble on a limestone base. One of the best-preserved ancient temples of Greece. Athens, Greece.

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Hadrian's Library / Athens

Built by Hellenophile emperor Hadrian, AD132, on the north side of the Acropolis.  Materials were limestone and Pentelic marble. The building was used as a public cultural centre in the Roman forum established not too far from the earlier Greek agora. Monastiraki, Athens, Greece.

(CC BY-NC-SA)

Dar M’Nebhi Palace / 2 images

What was originally (late C19) a courtyard, now covered by a fabric roof supporting a chandelier, with much of the floor restored.  

View through screen to central courtyard. Musée de Marrakech, Fondation Omar Benjelloun, Place Ben Youssef,  Marrakech-Médina, Maroc.

Dar M’Nebhi Palace / gallery tiles

Floor detail of late C19 palace-residence built by M'Nebhi Mehdi. Restored and opened as the Museum of Marrakech by Omar Benjelloun (1928-2003). Musée de Marrakech, Fondation Omar Benjelloun, Place Ben Youssef,  Marrakech-Médina, Maroc.

Chez les Nomades / Marrakech

Carpet shop in the Medina near Ben Yussef Mosque. There is a long tradition of carpet-making by the Berber people of this region. Place Zaouiet el Ahdar, Marrakech, Morocco.

BMCE Bank / Marrakech

Architect: unknown. Avenue Mohammed VI, Marrakech, Morocco
(All rights reserved) 

Bank Al Maghrib / Marrakech

Omar Alaoui Architects, 2006. In a contemporary style while alluding to traditional mashrabiya using white polyester lattice. The main cladding material is granite chosen for its ochre hue. Avenue Mohammed VI, Marrakech, Morocco

(All rights reserved)

Menara Gardens / 3 images

Pavilion or ‘minzah’, built C19 in the Alawi style for use by the sultan and his family. It is thought that the building rests on the remains of an older, Saadian structure that dates back to the C16 [source: www.morocco.com]. Water, originating from the snow-capped Atlas Mountains 20 miles away, can be seen entering the artificial lake. 

Menara Gardens / seating area
 The water is stored for irrigation of the surrounding olive groves. 

(All 3 images CC BY-NC-SA)

Fruit factory wall / Marrakech

Marrakech, Morocco. 

(CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Rue Omar Ben El Khattab / sign

Marrakech, Morocco. 

(CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

La Gare de Marrakech / Entree Targa

Architect: Youssef Melehi, 2008. Canopied side-entrance to Marrakech railway station, looking especially attractive when illuminated at night.  Marrakech, Morocco.

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Minaret / Jardin Bab El Khemis

Minaret of what appears to be a mosque under construction, seen from the little local park Jardin Bab El Khemis. The garden is named after the nearby city gate which I think translates as 'Thursday's Gate'. Thursday is the main scrap-metal market day in this area.

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Blvd Bradiia / Marrakech

The Boulevard Bradiia seen from the Jardin de Bab El Khmiss, Marrakech, Morocco.

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Medina rooftops / Atlas Mountains

Vista from rooftop of the Maison de la Photographie. In the distance, the Atlas mountains can just be seen: these are a source of water for the city. Marrakech, Morocco. 

(CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Maison de la Photographie / atrium

Looking down on the courtyard of the 'House of Photography' which was established in 2009 in this former fondouk building in the Medina. As I understand it, a fondouk was a kind of warehouse and hostel, whereas a riad was a family home with a garden and fountain in the courtyard. In both cases, an open central atrium provides cooling and natural light. 46, Rue Ahal Fassi, Medina, Marrakech, Morocco. 

(CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Dans les souks / 2015 and c.1920 Marrakech

Images George Rex 2015

By Garoud c.1920

In the souks / Marrakech

Early in the day at a market street within the Medina of Marrakech. Morocco.

©2015 All Rights Reserved

Palais Des Congres / Marrakech

New (2013) privately-funded convention centre able to accommodate up to 5500 people. Boulevard Mohammed VI, Hivernage, 40000 - Marrakech, Morocco.

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Theatre Royal / Marrakech

Architect: Charles Boccara, 2001. The development comprises a 1200-seat open-air theatre and an 800-seat opera auditorium, although I believe the latter has still to be internally completed. Avenue Hassan II, Marrakech 40000, Morocco. 

(CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Argana Restaurant / Marrakech

Restaurant on the north side of the famous Jemaa El Fna square. Sadly the site of a terrorist bombing in 2011 in which 17 people were killed, but now back in business. Marrakech, Morocco.

(CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Cyber Parc Moulay Abdeslam / bandstand & fountains

Architect: Karim El Achak, landscape architect: Jean-Charles Mazet, 2003-5. Historic gardens, quite close to the Koutoubia Mosque, which have been renovated and restored. The 'Cyber' part of the park's new name must be to do with the free Internet terminals that are dotted about, and the funding by various IT companies including Maroc Telecom. Arset El Bilk, Marrakech, Morocco. 

(CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

(CC BY-SA)

Main Post Office at Gueliz / 2 images

Architects: unknown. View from across Avenue Hassan II showing the stylish main PTT building, with contemporary addition facing Place 16 Novembre.

Showing the front sweep of the splendid facade onto Place 16 Novembre at Guéliz, Marrakech, Morocco.

(Both images All Rights Reserved)

Maroc Telecom / sign

Nicely mellowing Maroc Telecom sign at Rue El Qadi Ayad, Marrakech, Morocco. 

(CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Guéliz Plaza / 2 images

Modern minaret of the mosque Hassan II to rear of the Place 16 Novembre area of Guéliz. The ville nouvelle was master-planned by Henri Prost during the French Protectorate period, although this image shows part of a C21 new plaza development. Marrakech, Morocco.

Corner detail of commercial building at Place 16 Novembre, Guéliz, Marrakech, Morocco.

(Both pics All Rights Reserved)

Pub Le Casablanca / (remains)

Remains of the Pub Le Casablanca, with the closed Hotel Kenza in background. Avenue Yacoub El Mansour, Guéliz, Marrakech, Morocco. 

(CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Gare de Marrakech / 2 images

Architect: Youssef Melehi, 2008. Interior view of the new railway station's main entrance with modern take on arch and mashrabiya screen. The entrance faces approximately east and the road in front is Ave. Mohammed VI.

The design represents some features of the city, and bears an overall Islamic style.  Marrakech, Morocco. 

Both images ©2015 All Rights Reserved