Marrakech is the most famous of the Imperial Cities of Morocco


Marrakech and the protected areas of southern Morocco
	Marrakech is the most famous of the Imperial Cities of Morocco. It traces its origins to an Almoravid Saharan chieftain, Abou Bekr, who set up a permanent camp at the foot of the Atlas mountains in 1070, and later built the first palace and mosque near the present location of the city. The city is known for its ramparts, pounded earth walls that rise to heights of 26 to 32 feet around the Medina or historic city center. The construction of the ramparts was begun early in the 12^th century by Ali Ben Youssef, who brought many gifted artisans to the growing caravan town. Inside the Medina, there are historical monuments that evoke the various dynasties of Marrakech, allowing visitors to retrace its evolution, from the 12^th century Almohad Koutoubia Mosque to the 19^th century Alaouite-style El Bahia and Dar Si Said palaces, the latter now a Museum of Moroccan Crafts.
Marrakech medina ramparts
	The pathways to these monuments meander through the souks, ancient marketplaces that are a labyrinth of shops offering crafts, medicinal herbs, spices and many other goods. All roads lead eventually to the Place Djemaa El Fna, traditional meeting place of peasants and traders from the rural hinterland of Marrakech, and a center of Moroccan magic, music and storytelling. In recognition of its cultural heritage, the Marrakech Medina was declared a World Heritage Site in 1985. UNESCO further honored the Place Djemaa El Fna in 2001, designating it as the world’s first Oral Heritage Site. Not far from the ramparts are the contemporary Majorelle and historic Agdal and Menara gardens. The Palmeraie or palm grove of Marrakech extends towards the Haouz plain and the snowcapped High Atlas mountains.
Spice merchants in the souk
	The road to the Ourika valley climbs to Oukaïmeden, a winter sports station that gives panoramic views of the High Atlas and the 360 square kilometer Toubkal National Park. A separate road passes through the Ouirgane Valley on the way to the picturesque communities of Asni and Imlil. Essaouira, an ancient port city located two hours west of Marrakech, has nuances of its Phoenician, Portuguese and Alaouite past. The city is nestled between the Atlantic coast and the three million hectare Argan Biosphere Reserve, which was officially recognized by UNESCO in 1999. Ouarzazate, three hours south of Marrakech, opens the door to the Oasis du Sud Biosphere Reserve, inaugurated in 2001 to protect the fragile pre-Saharan ecological zone. In Skoura, along the southern flank of the Atlas mountains, a scenic date palm grove surrounds the ruins of the Kasbah Amerhidil.
Landscapes of the High Atlas