El Badi Palace, 16th-century palace ruins in Marrakesh, Morocco
El Badi is an expansive palace complex featuring large courtyards with sunken gardens and remnants of hundreds of rooms arranged around multiple pavilions. The central water basin serves as the architectural heart that structures the entire layout.
A sultan constructed this palace between 1578 and 1593 to commemorate his military victory against Portugal. The building represented the power and wealth of the dynasty during that era.
The palace displays an ancient minbar from the Koutoubia Mosque featuring intricate Islamic patterns and carved wooden details. This religious fixture speaks to the spiritual importance the site held for the city.
Visitors should wear comfortable shoes since exploring the sprawling ruins involves considerable walking across the site. Sun protection and plenty of water are important, especially during warmer months when heat is intense.
Construction of the palace required materials from distant countries, including Italian marble and Sudanese gold, revealing the vast reach of trade networks. These exotic components were incorporated into the structures themselves rather than used merely for decoration.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
