Hello to all my friends in the Hive community,
Today I'm going to share with you a walk I took last week in the red city of Marrakech. It was one of those days when you don't plan anything in particular, but find yourself experiencing real little moments of magic. I walked around, observed, breathed in the history...
I got up early, a little earlier than usual. I had this little excitement inside me, a desire to wander through the busy streets of Marrakech's medina. You know, that kind of morning when the air is still fresh and everything seems softer and more peaceful. I gently closed the door behind me so as not to wake the others... and that's when I got a funny surprise. As I looked up at the top of the garden gate, a little cat was sitting there quietly, as if on guard. It looked me straight in the eye, and I swear, it felt like it was greeting me, almost as if it were saying: ‘Have a nice walk! Enjoy your day 😍'
It all began in a place I love: Ben Youssef Square. If you know Marrakech, you'll surely know what I'm talking about. It's not a square like the others. It's a little jewel box steeped in history, nestling in the heart of the Medina... Right next to the historic Ben Youssef Mosque, which is currently being restored, lies a little treasure that is often overlooked: the Almoravid Koubba. It's a marvel! It dates from the 11th century, and was built under the Almoravid dynasty. It is one of the vestiges of this era still visible in Marrakech.
I went inside the Almoravid Koubba, curious as ever. What struck me was the sober yet characterful architecture. The geometric shapes sculpted into the stone, the dome that dominates the space, and above all the feeling of silence that envelops you. It's a place that exudes history, a true testament to another time. I took out my phone and snapped a few photos... The ruins have a soul.
After this almost meditative moment, I decided to follow my instincts and wander into the busy streets of the Medina. And there... wow ! (A French man walked past me and I heard him tell his wife and grandchildren who were behind him to follow him carefully and to stay close to him at all times! This man apparently knows the place and frankly, when you walk through these narrow streets and this atmosphere, you get the feeling that you could get lost at any moment 🙃 ). Entering the Medina from Place Ben Youssef, you go from ancient silence to an explosion of colours, sounds and smells.
The souks (markets) were full of life. There was a merchant in every corner. Some sold Berber carpets with deep, warm designs. Others sold openwork metal lanterns that cast magical shadows on the walls. I saw stalls selling leather, babouches, spices in a thousand colours, natural soaps, handmade pottery... What touched me most was the diversity of the products and the people. Each merchant has his own story, his own art, his own passion. You hear words in Arabic, French, Spanish, English, Italian, German.... Marrakech is a living crossroads, a city that speaks to the whole world while retaining its unique identity.
Following the narrow streets, a little at random, I admit, I found myself in the mythical Jemaa el-Fna square. And here again, it's a world apart. The square was buzzing with that typical atmosphere that only those who have experienced it can understand. Street storytellers, Gnaoua musicians, women selling traditional henna, street vendors with their carts full of dates and fresh orange juice... And then, at the centre of it all, the snake charmers... I approached, a little intrigued, a little hesitant... I asked the man to take a photo of me behind the cobra. What a moment! Frankly, it's one of the most unusual images I have of myself in Marrakech. A real Moroccan snapshot! 😂
After all the hustle and bustle, I needed a bit of peace and quiet. So I headed for the historic Lalla Hasna Garden, just a few steps away. It's one of my favourite places to take a breather when the Medina gets too hectic. The garden is clean, well-kept and, above all, there's a tranquillity about it that I love. I watched couples walking hand in hand, old people sitting on benches, chatting quietly... And I found myself a little corner in the shade of a tree, closed my eyes for a few minutes doing my daily deep breathing session, and let time stand still.
After this little break, I left the garden, walked around a bit more and then took a taxi home. It was a short journey, but my head was full of images, smells and sounds. It's amazing what a few hours in Marrakech can do to you. I don't have much time left to spend in Marrakech, but I've promised myself that I'll do this kind of trip more often. Not necessarily far, not necessarily long, but just... getting out, walking, observing. Because sometimes life is hidden in the details that we forget to look at.
Thank you for taking the time to read this post, I hope you enjoyed the walk. I'm preparing another post for you very soon about a magical place I visited last weekend: the Marrakech Museum... See you soon, my friends!
I'm Redwan from Morocco ! I've always had a passion for travelling and discovery. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than exploring new places, whether historical, archaeological or in the heart of nature. Through my blogs, you can discover the hidden gems of Morocco, whether you want to admire the fascinating architecture of a historic site, delve into the legends surrounding an archaeological site, or simply marvel at the beauty of Moroccan nature!
I took all the photos with my own Redmi Note 11 smartphone, and edited them on canva !