Bab Agnaou, City gate in Medina of Marrakesh, Morocco.
Bab Agnaou is a city gate in the southern Medina of Marrakesh that serves as the main entrance to the royal Kasbah. The structure features a large stone arch decorated with intricate carvings, floral designs, and Quranic inscriptions across its facade.
The gate was built between 1188 and 1190 during the Almohad dynasty under Caliph Abu Yusuf Yaqub al-Mansur. The blue-grey stone came from the Gueliz quarries and symbolized the power of the ruling dynasty at that time.
The name combines the Arabic word 'bab' meaning gate with 'agnaou', possibly referencing the Gnawa people from sub-Saharan Africa. Visitors today can still observe the intricate stonework that reflects the importance of this passage to the royal residence.
The gate sits at the southern edge of the Medina and provides access to important sites like El Badi Palace and the Saadian Tombs. Visitors should explore this area during daylight hours when lighting brings out the details of the stone carvings.
The original curved arch displays alternating semi-circles with radiating lines, a rare design element from that period. Today, storks nest on the upper sections of the gate, creating an unexpected intersection of history and wildlife.
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