Majorelle garden

In 1919 the French painter Jacques Majorelle (1886-1962) (son of the famous cabinetmaker art nouveau decorative artist Louis Majorelle Nancy) settled in the Medina of Marrakech (during the French protectorate in Morocco) and falls in love.
In 1922 he bought a palm grove bordering that of Marrakech, northwest of the medina, and in 1931, built by architect Paul Sinoir its Moorish / Art Deco architecture style villa astonishingly modern, inspired architect Le Corbusier. He set up his main house on the first floor and a large artist's studio on the ground floor to paint its huge decorations.
Lovers of botany, botanical garden he created his Islamic-inspired garden with lush tropical gardens around his house, "an impressionistic garden", "a cathedral of shapes and colors," structured around a long central basin with more varied environments, where hundreds of birds nest. This garden is a living work of art in motion, with exotic plants and rare species he brought back from his travels around the world: cactus, yuccas, lilies, lotus, lilies, jasmine, bougainvillea, palm trees, coconut trees , banana, bamboo, carob trees, agaves, cypresses ... and adorned with fountains, ponds, fountains, ceramic jars, paths, pergolas ...
In 1937 the artist creates the blue Majorelle, an ultramarine blue / cobalt both intense and clear that he painted the walls of his villa, then the whole garden into a tableau that opens to the public in 1947.
Following a car accident, Majorelle is repatriated to Paris where he disappeared in 1962 The garden is then abandoned for several years.

 

Yves Saint Laurent

 
Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé discover the Jardin Majorelle in 1966, during their first stay in Marrakech "Furnes seduced us with this oasis where the colors of Matisse mingle with those of nature." They bought the Majorelle Garden in 1980 to save a proposed hotel complex which provided her disappearance; This will be the third acquisition of the couple in the city of Marrakech. The new owners decided to live in the house of the artist, renamed Villa Oasis, and are undertaking major restoration of the garden to "make the most beautiful garden Majorelle Garden, one Jacques Majorelle had thought, envisaged". The artist's studio is transformed into a Berber museum open to the public and in which the Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé collection is exposed.
Disappeared on June 1, 2008 in Paris, the ashes of Yves Saint Laurent are scattered in the rose garden of the Villa Oasis and a memorial, consisting of a Roman column reduced from Tangier placed on a pedestal where a plaque bears his name. November 27, 2010, Princess Lalla Salma, wife of King Mohammed VI of Morocco opens the exhibition Yves Saint Laurent and Morocco along with the creation of the street Yves Saint Laurent.
On 3 December 2011, the Berber museum was inaugurated on the ground floor of the villa in the presence of French culture minister Frederic Mitterrand, and the house where lived Yves Saint Laurent is labeled houses Illustrious.
To date, the garden, maintained by a score of gardeners, is one of the most visited Marrakech and Morocco with more than 600,000 annual visitors attraction.
botanical collections
• Collection of cacti.
• Collection of bananas.
• Rare Plants: Aloe driveway.
• Collection of palm trees is a cool oasis in the southern part of the garden.
• Bamboo south and west of the garden between the boundary wall and winding road.
ornithology
The song of the bulbul gardens welcomes visitors who discover alongside common species such as blackbird, house sparrow robin and great tit less common species of warblers, gray wagtail, the Striolated the bunting red tail black and gray flycatcher.
Doves and pigeons are numerous. A kestrel nicherait in tour1. The five species of the most visible from the flat roofs of Marrakech birds are the white stork, gray wagtail, the turtle dove, kestrel, gray flycatcher.

The Medina

 
• The medina of Marrakech is the hub and heart of the historic city of Marrakech. Spanning a total area of ​​600 hectares, it is one of the largest medina in Morocco and most populous of North Africa. Its refinement and specificity urban direct result of the total virgin ground on which it was built in the eleventh century. Built around a military camp, the Qasr El Hajar, and a market, it was increased by a kasbah in the twelfth century to protect it from repeated Berber tribes of the Haouz fire, thus contributing to sustainable sit Almoravid hegemony. The famous walls of the old city of Marrakech underwent significant changes at the whim of dynasties. Thus they were to repeatedly drilled new doors (Bab in Arabic). Today the height of the walls varies between 8 and 10 meters and extend for a total distance exceeding 19 kilometers. The medina is on the World Heritage List by UNESCO in 19853.

 
• The recent craze for riads, the traditional Moroccan houses built around a central courtyard, generated profound sociological changes in the medina of Marrakech, where the price per m2 peaked. Thus, a significant and growing number of smaller households marrakchis sees driven by speculation "exile" outside the walls. Moreover, a phenomenon of densification is observed habitat within the medina. However, it is far from witnessing a museumification of the medina, far from it. In fact, the growing success of tourism Marrakech medina permanently invigorated by attracting many young people in the maze of the medina. Thus it would seem that more than 40,000 craftsmen work, divided into different themed areas geographically organizing the medina.

• The Jewish quarter in the south east of Medina, was and remains today a lesser extent the Jewish quarter of Marrakech. Far from being a ghetto, the Jewish quarter consisted of some trades that over and when the history of Marrakech, became specialties of this community (the weaver was an example of this). It was founded in 1558 under the reign of Moulay Abdellah near the palace which allowed, as was the case in Fes for example, the Sultan of protecting information.

 
• The Agdal Gardens adjacent to the south the Royal Palace were created from 1156 as the official historian of the Almohad dynasty by El Haj Ya'is, the same one that was at the origin of the prestigious Koutoubia. The term "Agdal" meaning also "garden" in general by the Berbers, the description of the Agdal Gardens are established himself as exclusive label that towards the end of the eighteenth century. Its existence undermined by time is closely related to the astute management of water resources is made. Thus, the catchment groundwater was from the late eleventh century ensured by a dense network of "khettaras" assisted later by a more elaborate system of viaducts from Aghmat, a town further south towards the Ourika Valley. Finally, the storage of rain water was provided by two huge reservoirs, the largest, called Es Sala, served to train troops to swimming to cross the Strait of Gibraltar.

 History
  Marrakech (Love Akouch) was founded in the year 1062 (454 Hijri) Abu Bakr Ibn Omar, sovereign and cousin Youssef Ibn Tachfin.
The name comes from Marrakech Tamazight Mour means "country" and Akouch meaning "God", giving "the land of God." Another etymology gives the interpretation of "land of course."
Soon, in Marrakech, led the Almoravids, pious warriors and austere scholars from the current Mauritanian desert, numerous mosques and madrassas (Koranic schools of theology) were built, and a shopping center draining traffic between Maghreb and sub-Saharan Africa. Marrakech is growing rapidly and emerged as an influential cultural and religious center, and supplanting Aghmat Sijilmassa. Palaces were also built and decorated with the help of Andalucian craftsmen from Córdoba and Seville, who brought the Umayyad style characterized by poly-lobed arches and carved domes. The Andalusian influence merged with the elements or west Saharan African and was synthesized in an original architecture completely adapted to the specific environment of Marrakech. The city became the capital of the Emirate almoravide which stretched from the shores of Senegal to the center of Spain and the Atlantic coast to Algiers.

The city was then fortified by the son of Ibn Youssef Tachfin Ali Ben Youssef, who had built 1122-1123 to the walls still visible.
In 1147 the Almohad supporters of orthodox and Masmoudas tribes from the High Atlas Islam, seized the city. The last Almoravids were exterminated except those who went into exile in the Balearic Islands (family Banu Ghania). Therefore almost all the monuments were destroyed. The Almohad built numerous palaces and religious buildings, such as the famous Koutoubia Mosque built on the ruins of a palace Almoravid and sister of the Giralda in Seville and the Hassan Tower (unfinished) Rabat sister. The Casbah housed the Caliphate residence (since the reign of Abd al-Mumin Almohad ruler bore the title of caliph, rivaling the far eastern Abbasid caliphate), decorated with a hospital that caught the Andalusian physician Ibn Tufayl. From the majestic whole Kasbah mansourienne, named after the caliph Abu Yusuf Yaqub al-Mansur, are still the beautiful Bab Agnaw. Marrakech was well worthy to host the capital of the major power in the Mediterranean Muslim West at the time, the Almohad Empire that encompassed the area between Cordoba and Tripoli.
To feed the palm trees and large gardens, an irrigation system was built and perfected. Marrakech, by cultural influence attracted many writers and artists especially from Andalusia, including the famous philosopher Averroes known to have commented extensively and reinterpreted the work of Aristotle.
 

In 1269, Marrakech was conquered by nomadic Zenata the expense of the last Almohad. When there is the advent of Marinids, Marrakech then fell into a lethargy, and its decline resulted in the loss of its status as capital for the benefit of his great rival, Fez.
In the early sixteenth century, Marrakech again became the capital of the kingdom, having been the seat of the emirs Hintata. She quickly reestablished its peak, especially during the reign of the Saadian Sultan Mohammed El Mahdi and Ahmed al-Mansur Saadi. With the fortune amassed by the Sultans, Marrakech was embellished, monuments in ruins then restored and sumptuous palaces built. El Badi Palace erected by Ahmad al-Mansur, was a replica of the Alhambra, made with the most precious materials from Italy (marble), Sudan (gold dust), India (porphyry) and even Chinese (jade). The Badi also struck by his contemporaries Kubbat al Jujjaj, her "glass dome" made ​​of translucent crystal. But all this was to disappear, dismantled by order of Sultan Moulay Ismail to 1695 This palace was designed primarily to lavish VIP meetings from Spain, England and the Ottoman Empire, recognizing Morocco as a power saadien essential area of influence reached the borders of Niger and Mali in the Songhai Empire, large gold producing region. Under the reign of the Saadian dynasty, Marrakesh and found his role as a point of contact between the Maghreb, the Mediterranean basin and the sub-Saharan African world, through the caravan routes.
At the end of the seventeenth century, the Alawite dynasty succeeded the Saadian. The throne was successively transferred to Fez and Meknes, new imperial city. Sultan Mohammed III (1757-1790) chose the city as a place of residence, due to the proximity of Mogador (now Essaouira) it was build on plans for a French architect in his service. It is also in Marrakech that was concluded in 1787, the first treaty of friendship Moroccan-American. In 1792, Marrakech became the capital of a grand-son of Mohammed III, Hicham, who is recognize as sultan by this part of the country while his brother Sulayman was recognized legitimate Sultan in Fez by the ulama and the provinces north the river Oum Errabiaa. This led to a war between two rival sultans, which ended with the defeat of Hicham in 1796, despite the Spanish support he enjoyed. Marrakech was conquered by Sulayman in 1797 and the city reinstated the country's official makhzen Fez.
In the early twentieth century, Marrakech had several years of turmoil. After the death of Grand Vizier Ba Ahmed in 1900, the true ruler of chérifien Empire during the minority of the young Sultan Abd al-Aziz of Morocco, the country was in the grip of anarchy, tribal revolts, conspiracies major feudal, excluding European intrigues. In 1907, Moulay Abd al-Hafid, khalifa (representative makhzen) was proclaimed Sultan in Marrakech by the powerful tribes of the High Atlas and some ulama who denied the legitimacy of his brother Abd al-Aziz. Also in 1907, was assassinated a French doctor based in Marrakech, Dr. Mauchamp, suspected of spying for his country. France takes this case to enter his troops in Morocco, Oujda and Casablanca east to west. The French colonial army is still met with a strong run by Ahmed al-Hiba resistance, a son of the great Sheikh Maelainin mounted nomads of the Sahara with his warriors from the tribes Reguibat. After the Battle of Sidi Bou Othman, which saw the victory of the Mangin column on al-Hiba Forces (September 1912), the French seized Marrakesh and entered the French protectorate of Morocco established since March 1912. the conquest was facilitated by rallying Imzwarn tribes and leaders belonging to the powerful family of Glaouis.
One of them, Thami El Glaoui, became famous by going to the post of pasha of Marrakech, a position he held almost throughout the period of the Protectorate (44). The Pasha Glaoui became famous for its collaboration with the authorities of the general residence, which found its climax with the plot to dethrone Mohammed Ben Youssef (Mohammed V) to replace the cousin of the sultan, Ben Arafa. Thami El Glaoui, already known for its prestigious dating and lavish lifestyle worthy of a true monarch, and became a symbol marking the colonial and colonial order in Morocco. He could still oppose the rise of nationalist sentiment, or the hostility of a growing share of the population. He could no longer resist the pressures of France, who agreed to part with his Moroccan protectorate because of the disaster of the Indochina War and the beginning of the war in Algeria. After two successive exiles (Corsica then Madagascar), Mohammed Ben Youssef was allowed to return to Morocco (November 1955), and signed the back end of the despotic rule of Glaoui of Marrakesh and its region.

Source : Wikipedia.com

Films shot in Marrakech

Films shot in Marrakech

• 1956: The Man Who Knew Too Much by Alfred Hitchcock
• 1964: One hundred thousand dollars in the sun Henri Verneuil
• 1970: The bed of the Virgin of Philippe Garrel
• 1988: The Last Temptation of Christ by Martin Scorsese
• 1998: Marrakech Express Gillies MacKinnon
• 1999: The Mummy Stephen Sommers
• 2004: Oliver Stone's Alexander
• 2004: Abdou in Almohad Said Naciri
• 2007: Kandisha Jerome Cohen-Olivar
• 2009: Heartbreaker Pascal Chaumeil
• 2010: Sex and the City 2, Michael Patrick King
• 2010: The Source by Radu Mihaileanu
• 2010: Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Mike Newell

Source : Wikipedia.com

Sightseeing around Marrakech

• Ourika Valley 60 km
• Oukaimeden ski resort 75 km
• Toubkal National Park and 70 miles south
• Ouzoud 154 km
• Archaeological Site Aghmat, 30 km
• Tinmel old Berber village (eleventh century), 60 km
• Valley of the Draa
• Ballooning in North Jbilets Palmeraie
• The Berber village AMIZMIZ
• Valley of Ourika

Source : Wikipedia.com

Tourist attractions

The city is a tourist mecca, more than two million tourists every year. It is also the starting point for many excursions for hikers wishing to browse the Atlas or the desert to the south.

Also, the city has become a destination of "dental tourism", since the quality of dental care has increased dramatically in recent years as their cost is relatively low [disputed relevance].

The city is now focusing on luxury tourism. Marrakech has indeed become a favorite for French celebrities who love his well-preserved charm which combines luxury, refinement and authenticity destinations. The city has been described as a "dream of a thousand-and-one nights" by Arielle Dombasle who invests in France to publicize this city of French. Many French stars have already bought their private riad in the heart of the Medina. The appearance of this luxury tourism dates back to 1967 with the arrival of Yves Saint Laurent in Marrakech, then it was bought in 1980 from the Majorelle Gardens. Marrakech becomes a place renowned for its culture, arts, traditions and architectural heritage that gradually seduced many artists. However, it is only since the 2000s that tourism has grown considerably.
 

• Place Jamâa El Fna (XI^e siècle)
• Medersa Ben Youssef (XVI^e siècle)
• La Qoubba Almoravide (XII^e siècle)
• Les tombeaux Saadiens (XVI^e siècle)
• Fontaine chrob ou chouf (début XVII^e siècle)
• Mosquée Koutoubia (XII^e siècle)
• Mosquée El Mouassine (XII^e siècle) et sa fontaine (XVI^e siècle)
• Mosquée aux pommes d'Or (XII^e siècle)
• Synagogue Salat Al Azama
• Palais de la Bahia (XIX^e siècle)
• Palais El Badi (XVI^e siècle)
• Jardins de la Ménara (XII^e siècle)
  
• Jardins de l'Agdal (XII^e siècle)
• Jardin Majorelle (XX^e siècle)
• Musée de Marrakech (XIX^e siècle)
• Musée Dar Si Saïd (XIX^e siècle)
• Musée de l'art de vivre (XXI^e siècle)
• Musée d'art islamique de Marrakech (XX^e siècle)
• Musée Bert-Flint ou maison Tiskwin (XX^e siècle)
• Musée de la Palmeraie (XXI^e siècle)
• Musée de la Photographie et des Arts Visuels (MMP+)
• Les souks de Marrakech

  
Source : Wikipedia.com

The International Film Festival of Marrakech

 The International Film Festival of Marrakech (Arabic: المهرجان الدولي للفيلم بمراكش), founded in 2001, is the leading event dedicated to the seventh art in Morocco, filming location for many international productions. The festival, which takes place each year over several days in the course of the fall, brings together many film personalities of international renown.

The jury of the festival brings together filmmakers, comedians, but also writers, and seeks to reward with Golden Stars the best Moroccan and foreign production of feature and short films. This festival is chaired by Prince Moulay Rachid.

Awards

During its closing ceremony, the FIFM issues awards among the following to the best movies, filmmakers and actors in the competition. These awards may or may not be issued every year.

The Cinécoles Short Film Prize

The Cinécoles Short Film Prize was created in 2010 and focuses on new cinematographic talent and is open to students from Morocco’s cinema schools and institutes.
Through the competition, the FIFM Foundation offers opportunity for film creation and career advancement for new filmmakers and during the festival creates a platform for discussion between seasoned professionals and less-experienced filmmakers.
The competition provides an occasion to present the student cinema for the first time in Morocco and within the framework of a prestigious event.
The Cinécoles Prize comes with a grant worth 300,000 dirhams, donated by His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid, President of the FIFM Foundation, for the film student to make his or her second short film. It is managed by the FIFM Foundation and must be used to make a new film, which must be completed during the three years following the award. In this way, the FIFM Foundation supports the creation of this second work through careful monitoring and participation in the different stages of writing, directing and editing.
The Short Film Jury for the 13th edition of the Marrakech International Film Festival (2013) was presided over by Moroccan filmmaker Nour Eddine Lakhmari and included Astrid Bergès-Frisbey - Actress (France), Jan Kounen - Director & screenwriter (France), Atiq Rahimi - Novelist, director & screenwriter (Afghanistan) and Sylvie Testud - Actress, director, screenwriter & author (France).

Source : Wikipedia.com