BAHIA Palace in Marrakech

Hello my dear friends in the Hive community!

I hope you are doing well and that your day is going well. I would now like to tell you about an amazing visit I made to Marrakech. This city has a rich historical heritage and some remarkable attractions to explore. Among them, the Bahia Palace. Simply incredible! If you ever find yourself in Marrakech, I highly recommend visiting this residence, which exudes elegance and splendor.

First, I will tell you about a find I made along the way before showing you the photos I took at the palace. I immediately found a beautiful door while winding through the crowded streets of Marrakech. It's called Bab Agnaw (The Gate of Agnaw). She is large and very old. Its architecture is stunning, its colors and decorations reflect the city's heritage. I stopped for a few minutes to admire it and take some photos, as I wanted to keep a memory of the event. The way these buildings have maintained their grandeur over the years is incredible.

Later, driven by the desire to see what the Bahia Palace had behind its doors, I left again.

The Bahia is one of the sumptuous palaces of the 20th century. It was founded in 1866 on the orders of Abou Imrane Moussa Ben Ahmed Ben Mbarek, chamberlain of Sultan Sidi Mohammed Ben Abderrahmane (1859-1873) and grand vizier of Sultan Hassan I (1873-1894). It was later enlarged and expanded by his son Ahmed Ben Moussa, known as Ba-Hmad, chamberlain, grand vizier, and regent of Sultan Moulay Abdelaziz (1894-1908). Under the French Protectorate (1912-1956), the Bahia served as the seat of the general residence at the order of Marshal Lyautey, and with independence, the palace was attached to the royal domains and opened to the public in 1998, under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture as a historical monument registered by Dahir (royal decree) of December 21, 1924.

The palace covers a total area estimated at 8 hectares, including 37,100 m² of covered space. Indeed, it was starting in 1894 that Ba Hmad ordered the expansion of his father's residence by constructing new buildings designed by the architect Mohammed Ben Mekki Mesfioui (1857-1926), a seasoned expert and grand master skilled in artisanal crafts. The work lasted six years and included the expansion and renovation of the Grand Riad (the core of the palace) and the construction of the Petit Riad, the Marble Small Courtyard, and the Private Pavilion, as well as a series of annex buildings.

Bahia palace is a jewel of Moroccan architecture, an eminent example of artisanal craftsmanship, and an exceptional testament to the way of life of powerful families in the 19th century.

When I arrived in front of the Bahia Palace, I was very impressed by the number of visitors from different countries gathered at the entrance of this monument. You can already feel that this place holds a lot of beauty and history. I bought my ticket and entered with joy.

As I walked through the palace, I saw large courtyards with trees and fountains. At first, the weather was not on my side. It was raining, so I couldn't take photos peacefully. I waited for a while under a shelter, listening to the soothing sound of the rain on the roofs. Fortunately, the rain stopped quickly, and I was able to walk through the corridors of the palace.

The walls were decorated with colorful tiles, called zelliges, and intricately carved wooden sculptures. Every detail told a story from the past.

I visited several rooms in the palace. Some were simple, with decorated wooden ceilings and light-colored painted walls. Others were more luxurious, with chandeliers and antique carpets. I wondered how people lived in those times, within these walls full of history.

What impressed me the most was the large courtyard with its garden. There were orange trees, palm trees, and a fountain in the middle. The sound of flowing water made the place even more pleasant.

After fully exploring the palace, I decided to sit for a while in the garden. It was a perfect moment to relax and enjoy the beauty of the place.

Before leaving, I took one last tour to admire the beautiful carved wooden ceilings and the old doors, each telling its own story. I left the palace with wonderful memories.

I hope you enjoyed this little story! Thank you for reading my post. If you love visiting historical and beautiful places, I highly recommend the Bahia Palace in Marrakech. See you soon for another visit! Take care!

I hope you liked these images! Feel free to share your opinion in the comments. Thank you for taking the time to read. I will see you soon for another visit. See you later!

I'm Redwan from Morocco ! I've always had a passion for travelling and discovery. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than exploring new places, whether historical, archaeological or in the heart of nature. Through my blogs, you can discover the hidden gems of Morocco, whether you want to admire the fascinating architecture of a historic site, delve into the legends surrounding an archaeological site, or simply marvel at the beauty of Moroccan nature!

Photos taken by my own phone (Redmi Note 11).