Morocco’s fabled “red city”, Marrakech, takes its name from its mesmerising rosehued walls, palaces, and alleyways of the Medina of Marrakech, the old Islamic capital and epicentre of culture and trade since the 11th century. Millions visit this uniquely, beautiful, and evocative ancient walled city enclosed by 16km of red-hued ramparts.
The red colour comes from the Tadelakt, the traditional Moroccan waterproof plaster used in its rough form on the surface of the pisé walls, (rammed earth). The sand binding the plaster contains mica which oxidises over time, causing the buildings to change from buff to the familiar red colour we associate with Marrakech.
Marrakech is also known as a garden city, hence, its historic nicknames, “a rose among the palm trees”, “an oasis in the desert” or Al-Bahja,” the city of peace and open air.
The city has many hidden gardens within the riads in the Medina. A riad being a palace, mansion or large traditional house built around a central enclosed garden or courtyard with a large pond for irrigation
