El Badi Palace, Royal palace ruins in Medina district, Marrakesh, Morocco.
El Badi is a palace complex built with a rectangular plan featuring a central courtyard with a large pool and multiple sunken gardens surrounded by high stone walls. Pavilions and stone structures remain within the site, showing the scale and layout of what was once an imposing royal residence.
A sultan commissioned this palace in 1578, funding it through military victories and sugar trade profits, importing marble from Italy and gold from Mali. The building represented the power and wealth of an important ruling period in Morocco.
The palace displays intricate geometric patterns in its tilework and carved woodwork that reflect the artistic traditions of Morocco. Visitors walking through the remaining structures encounter these crafted details in what were once grand halls and courtyards.
The site welcomes visitors daily to explore the ruins and view displays of historical artifacts throughout the grounds. Cultural events and activities take place regularly, offering different experiences depending on when you visit.
A minbar from a 12th-century mosque featuring intricate wooden carving is preserved within the palace walls. This religious artifact demonstrates skilled craftsmanship from an earlier time and sits as a notable piece within the broader site.
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