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| Pr Btissam BenSalah B |
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| Marrakesh's Palaces |
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| Marrakesh's Palaces |
| To reach the Bahia's Palaces from the Saadian Tombs you need to backtrack half way to Yusef's mansoleum and then take the road whichleads almost due east to the Place des Ferblantiers.From here the Bab Berrima gives access to the Palace of El-Bahia . El Bahia is the palace that was joining the Hanging Gardens of Babylon and other wonders about which we can only guess. Even the big heap of stones has gone ,but we are left with a pleasant open space with flowering shrubs growing by ornamental lakes,and storks nesting atop the taller ruins .Opening hours are close to standard for museums,and there's an entrance fee. Folklore Festival :The annual Moroccan Folklore Festival ,held each evening for a fortnight in early June ,and one of the most important such celebrations in the country ,is staged in El-Badia . Today the ruins of Badia are brought held every in what used to be the courtyeard .On theis Oc casion the pools are filled and the fountains work.Traces of one or two of the pavilions still remain , the most complete being that of El-khemsin or the f Fifty ,on the the W side ,which was once a vast reception hall and nomed after its 50 marble contains ,among other things an early Almoravide pulpit .It still has its original painted ceiling . Vestigtes of Royal palaces lie around the perimeter of the conrtyard ,and m the S side is the enclosure housing today's Royal Palace or Dar El-Makhzen ,Built on Saadian and ALMOHADE FOUNDATIONS and recccutly superbly restored.It is now again in use by the Royal household and there fore not open to visitors. |