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The City
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On 8th September 2023, Morocco experienced a catastrophic 6.8-magnitude earthquake. The quake's origin was a mere 70 km southwest of Marrakesh, within the towering peaks of the High Atlas Mountains. Marking the most potent seismic event in central Morocco in over a century, this earthquake stands as the country's most lethal since 1960. Such seismic events are rare occurrences in this part of the world.
Marrakesh, often rendered as Marrakech in French, served as the jewel of Morocco's four imperial cities and is the core of the Marrakesh-Safi administrative region. Populated by Berber agriculturalists since ancient times, Marrakesh came into its own in 1070, under the auspices of Emir Abu Bakr ibn Umar. He founded it as the primary city of the Almoravid Dynasty, which laid down the urban structure that would define Marrakesh for generations. Today, the city presents a tapestry of contrast: the millennia-old Medina juxtaposes sharply against the Ville Nouvelle, a product of French colonial modernism.
Jemaa el-Fna, the pulsing epicentre of daily life in Marrakesh, undergoes a captivating transformation each evening. As dusk falls, the square fills with an array of culinary vendors offering delectable local fares. The air is saturated with the sights and sounds of snake charmers, impassioned storytellers, and myriad entertainers that evoke an almost medieval atmosphere. North of this bustling square lies a cluster of religious edifices and bustling marketplaces, while the south is adorned with regal palaces and landmarks.
In stark contrast, the Ville Nouvelle offers a more structured and calm ambiance, divided into the Gueliz and Hivernage districts. This area houses modern civic structures, international lodgings, and a diverse range of eateries and bars akin to a contemporary European metropolis.
Marrakesh, often rendered as Marrakech in French, served as the jewel of Morocco's four imperial cities and is the core of the Marrakesh-Safi administrative region. Populated by Berber agriculturalists since ancient times, Marrakesh came into its own in 1070, under the auspices of Emir Abu Bakr ibn Umar. He founded it as the primary city of the Almoravid Dynasty, which laid down the urban structure that would define Marrakesh for generations. Today, the city presents a tapestry of contrast: the millennia-old Medina juxtaposes sharply against the Ville Nouvelle, a product of French colonial modernism.
Jemaa el-Fna, the pulsing epicentre of daily life in Marrakesh, undergoes a captivating transformation each evening. As dusk falls, the square fills with an array of culinary vendors offering delectable local fares. The air is saturated with the sights and sounds of snake charmers, impassioned storytellers, and myriad entertainers that evoke an almost medieval atmosphere. North of this bustling square lies a cluster of religious edifices and bustling marketplaces, while the south is adorned with regal palaces and landmarks.
In stark contrast, the Ville Nouvelle offers a more structured and calm ambiance, divided into the Gueliz and Hivernage districts. This area houses modern civic structures, international lodgings, and a diverse range of eateries and bars akin to a contemporary European metropolis.