The story — El Badi Palace (Badi Museum)
Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur wanted to celebrate the 1578 victory at the Battle of Wadi al-Makhazin with a palace like no other, called “El Badi” — the Incomparable. Work lasted some twenty-five years, with marble brought from Italy and gold from sub-Saharan Africa.
A century later, the Alaouite sultan Moulay Ismail dismantled the palace to reuse its materials in his capital, Meknès. What remains is an immense courtyard with sunken orange gardens and pools, and towering rammed-earth walls where storks nest.
One pavilion displays the minbar of the Koutoubia Mosque, made in Córdoba in the 12th century and one of the finest pieces of woodwork in the Islamic world. From the top of the walls, a sweeping view stretches over the city to the Atlas mountains.
Don’t miss
- The four pools and orange gardens
- The Córdoban Koutoubia minbar
- Storks on the ramparts
- The view from the rooftop
Photos
Some photos are illustrative.
