La Bahia Palace Review

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La Bahia Palace

  • Address: End of Ave. Houmman el Fetouki, Marrakesh
  • Phone: 024/38-54-65

Fodor's Review:

This 19th-century palace, once home to a harem, is a marvelous display of painted wood, ceramics, and symmetrical gardens. Built by Sultan Moulay el Hassan I's notorious Grand Vizier Bou Ahmed, the palace was ransacked on Bou Ahmed's death, but you can still experience its layout and get a sense of its former beauty. Don't forget to look up at smooth arches, carved-cedar ceilings, tadlak (shiny marble) finishes, gibs (stucco plasterwork) cornices, and zouak painted ceilings. Fancy a room? Each one varies in size according to the importance of each wife or concubine. American writer Edith Wharton once stayed in the most favored wife's glorious private apartment. The entire palace is sometimes closed when the royal family is in town, since their entourage often stays here. If you use an on-site guide, you should also tip 30 DH-50 DH.

  • Cost: 10 DH
  • Open: Daily 8:45-11:45 and 2:45-5:45
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