El Badi Palace

Overview

One of the top attractions in the city of Marrakech is the El Badi Palace, a palace that took twenty five years to build. Built in the late 16th century by Saadian sultan Ahmad al-Mansur, the Midas of Marrakech, this palace was once a lavish complex consisting of buildings with over 350 rooms, courtyards, gardens and a large pool, which were decorated in gold, ivory, Italian marble, onyx, woodwork and semi-precious stones. However today, little remains of its glory days. El Badi Palace is now in ruins, having been stripped clean by sultan Moulay Ismail. The complex now consists of ruins, a museum; which has the intricate Koutobia minbar on display, sunken gardens, the Koubba el Khamsiniyya or "main hall", known for its fifty columns and its subterranean passages.

Prayer Facilities

While finding prayer facilities within the palace complex will not be possible, Muslim tourists will definitely be able to locate prayer facilities nearby. The Koutoubia Mosque located inside the medina is the largest mosque in Marrakesh and is known to consist of a prayer hall that can accommodate over 25000 worshippers. The mosque is also renowned for its stunning minaret, which is the oldest of the three great Almohad minarets remaining in the world.

Halal Food

Finding cafés and restaurants in the area surrounding El Badi Palace will not be a problem at all. Most of the dining establishments here are sure to be Halal, as Morocco is a dominantly Muslim country. Muslims visiting the palace complex can therefore ask locals to guide them to the best restaurant nearby.

Must See

• The 12th-century marquetry minbar
• Sunken gardens and the main hall

Location

Ksibat Nhass, Marrakesh, Morocco

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