Marrakech, Morocco
Art museum in Marrakesh, Morocco
The Marrakech Museum, in the heart of the medina a few steps from the Ben Youssef Madrasa, occupies the Dar Mnebhi palace, built in the early 20th century by Mehdi al-Mnebhi, qaid of the Mnabha tribe and minister of war to Sultan Moulay Abdelaziz from 1900 to 1908. The family of Pasha Thami El Glaoui seized it while Mnebhi was ambassador in London; after independence it passed to the state and in 1965 became a girls' school, before the Omar Benjelloun Foundation restored it and opened it as a museum in 1997. The palace itself is the star: a roofed central courtyard hung with a huge brass chandelier, surrounded by arcades of columns and arches, zellij and carved stucco walls, and painted cedar doors and ceilings, a complete example of Moroccan architecture at the turn of the 20th century. The rooms around it show traditional and contemporary Moroccan art: manuscripts and historic books, ceramics, coins, jewellery and weapons, plus temporary exhibitions by Moroccan artists.
Combine it with the Ben Youssef Madrasa and the Almoravid Qubba, all neighbours. Allow an hour. The shaded courtyard is a calm break in the middle of a souk walk. Exhibits change with temporary shows, so ask what is on.
Hours and prices change — check before you go. Source: en.wikipedia.org
No reviews yet
Share your experience and help other travellers decide.
ParkMarrakech, Morocco
