Marrakech, Morocco - Jemaa El Fna

Jamaa el Fna is a square and market place in Marrakesh's medina quarter (old city). It remains the main square of Marrakesh, used by locals and tourists. Marrakesh was founded by the Almoravids 1070-1072. After a destructive struggle, it was falling to the Almohads in 1147. Following this, Jamaa el-Fna was renovated along with much of the city. The city walls were also extended by Abou Yacoub Youssef and particularly by Yacoub el Mansour from 1147-1158. The surrounding mosque, palace, hospital, parade ground and gardens around the edges of the marketplace were also overhauled, and the Kasbah was fortified. Subsequently, with the fortunes of the city, Jamaa el Fna saw periods of decline and also renewal. 

 Interesting Facts about Jemaa El Fna:

• Djemaa el Fna means ‘assembly of the dead’ because once upon a time Christians and criminals were executed and made an example here.
• In the evening, snake charmers, fortune tellers, monkeys & musicians transform this city center into a medieval circus.
• The Koutoubia Mosque right beside Djemaa El Fna is named after the bookseller’s market that used to be located there. At night the mosque is beautifully lit.
• The souks or markets of Marrakech just adjacent to Djemaa El Fna are where you can buy almost anything, from spices to shoes, jalabas to kaftans, tea pots to tagines often over glass after glass of what might be considered the national very sweet drink–hot mint tea.