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
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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

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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. 

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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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)

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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. 

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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

Jardin Majorelle / Villa-Studio

Architect: Paul Sinoir in a Modernist-Cubist style for artist Jacques Majorelle, c.1931. The pergola has Arabic design influences. At Rue Yves Saint Laurent, 40090 Marrakech-Maroc.

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Jardin Majorelle / 3 images

Pavilion designed by Jacques Majorelle in a style reminiscent of Arab-Andalucian architecture. Situated at the end of an irrigation canal near the current entrance to the garden. 

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The garden was developed by painter Jacques Majorelle (1886-1962), taken on by couturier Yves Saint Laurent (1936-2008) and is now open to the public, entrance fee 70Dhs.  

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At Rue Yves Saint Laurent, 40090 Marrakech-Maroc.

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Window & shadow / Jardin Majorelle

Detail of villa designed by architect Paul Sinoir for artist Jacques Majorelle, c.1931.  The wall is painted in a blue colour now named after the artist. Majorelle Garden, Marrakech, Morocco.

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High dining / Jemaa el-Fna

Terrace restaurants perched above market shops provide diners with views of the extraordinary Jemaa el-Fna main square of Marrakech, Morocco.

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Ramparts / Marrakech

The red ochre walls of the old city are made of pisé and were completed in 1123 at the behest of Ali ibn Yusuf, the 5th Almoravid (Berber) king. There are 19km of ramparts surrounding the médina. Marrakech, Morocco. 

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Résidence Adrar 2 / corner

Looking up at corner of an apartment building constructed during the French Protectorate period c.1930s in what was then known as the ville nouvelle. In an Art Deco style using reinforced concrete with a red ochre render. Rue El Qadi Ayad, Guéliz, Marrakech, Morocco.

Bandstand / Parc El Harti

Bandstand situated within the public gardens known as Parc El Harti, a.k.a. Jnane El Harti. Constructed in the 1930s, the park has been recently revitalized. Near Guéliz, Marrakech, Morocco.

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Orange tree / Parc El Harti

Beautiful public park near the Guéliz district of Marrakech, Morocco.

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Mobile Phone Mast / Marrakech

Disguised mobile phone mast at Parc El Harti, Marrakech, Morocco.

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La Koutoubia / dusk

Architect: Yaqub al-Mansur, built late C12 in the style of the Almohad Caliphate. The "Mosque of the Booksellers" was constructed of brick and red sandstone. The minaret has a spire of 4 gilded copper orbs. Seen from the terrace of the Islane Hotel. Marrakech, Morocco.

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