An overview of Marrakech – Part 9

Places not to miss – continued,

Marrakech Souvenirs – continued

Lanterns

There are two types of lanterns: those that hang from the ceiling and those that sit on the floor. The former are known locally as fanous, they are typically fashioned from metal and come in elaborate shapes with intricate decoration. The latter are made of skin and goats’ hair and are usually colourful. You should look out for them in the northern part of the souk or down by the Place des Ferblantiers.

Dar Cherifa

This is a beautifully renovated town house and can be found by following the signs at the head of the alley opposite the side of the Mouassine Mosque. It displays some exquisite woodwork and carved plasterwork with some of the interiors dating back to the 16th century. The house operates as a cultural centre and hosts regular shows by local artists. There’s also a small library and tea and coffee is available.

The Kissaria

This is the deepest part of the souks and is a tight grouping of narrow and parallel alleys that run between the Souk El Kebir and Souk des Babouches. Most of the shops are no bigger than cupboards and the passageway between them scarcely wide enough for two people to pass. A visit here is like stepping into the past.

Jewellery

The local Berber jewellery is silver, chunky and heavy. However, a number of artisans in Marrakech, both local and foreign, are producing more modern designs. Keep an eye out for Joanna Bristow’s jewellery designs which can be found in select hotel boutiques such as La Maison Arabe Fashion.
Marra-Kitsch

A recent trend amongst local designers involves taking the iconography of Marrakech and giving it a modern twist. You will find shoulder bags that feature the khamsa, a five-fingered hand which is the Arab good luck symbol. Marrakech may have inspired countless foreign couturiers from Yves Saint-Laurent to Tom Ford. However, it’s only recently that the city has begun to develop a fashion of its own. There are some young Moroccan designers producing interesting clothing, like the high profile brothers behind the boutique Beldi, whose collections made from local fabric are tailored to Western tastes.

Medersa Ben Youssef

North of the Musée de Marrakech, the Medersa is an even more stunning building. A 16th-century theological college, it has tiny, windowless cells for several hundred students and is still a functioning bathhouse. The real splendour however is the central courtyard, which combines poly-chromic tiling, decorative plasterwork and carved-wood panelling to great effect.

Continued in part 10