Agdal Gardens, Historical garden in Marrakesh, Morocco
Agdal Gardens cover roughly 340 hectares south of Marrakesh and contain fruit orchards, water reservoirs, and cultivated fields surrounded by ancient walls. The site features an intricate network of channels and pools that distribute water throughout the various planted areas.
The gardens began in the 12th century under Almohad rule, when engineer Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Milhan designed the extensive irrigation network drawing from the Atlas Mountains. This infrastructure allowed the rulers to maintain such a large area continuously supplied with water.
The name Agdal comes from the Berber language and refers to enclosed meadows, a concept found across several Moroccan cities for similar garden spaces. Locals today use these grounds as a retreat from the busy medina, walking along shaded paths and around the water features.
The gardens sit roughly 45 minutes on foot south of the Saadian Tombs, though bicycle rentals make exploration easier for those who prefer not to walk the distance. Comfortable shoes are recommended and visitors should expect open paths with limited shade along most routes.
The Dar al-Hana reservoir dates from the original gardens and holds approximately 83,000 cubic meters of water while maintaining its historical engineering structure. This water management technique demonstrates how designers managed arid environments centuries ago.
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