The Miâara Cemetery is the Jewish cemetery of Marrakech, east of the Mellah, the old Jewish quarter. It takes its name from the street where its entrance stands, Taoualat el-Miâara; in Hebrew it is called Beit Mo'ed lekol Hai. Founded in the 15th century, it is the largest Jewish cemetery in Morocco, with more than 20,000 whitewashed graves. Still in use, it is maintained by the city's small Jewish community and by a caretaker who is on site day and night. Unlike most Muslim cemeteries in the country, it is open to visitors: you can walk among the graves, the mausoleums of revered rabbis and the children's section.
Highlights
The sea of whitewashed graves
Thousands of low, vaulted or prism-shaped graves stretch to the ochre walls of the enclosure. The oldest are often anonymous; the more recent ones carry epitaphs carved in Hebrew. In keeping with tradition, men, women and children are buried in separate sections.
The rabbis' mausoleums
Several revered sages rest here, including Rabbi Hanania Hacohen, a major figure of the Marrakech community, and Rabbi Pinhas Hacohen, who died in 1952 and who, according to tradition, saved the life of Pasha Thami el-Glaoui. Their tombs draw pilgrims from around the world, especially during the hiloulot, the annual celebrations held in honour of the saints. Niches built into the graves hold candles lit by visitors.
The children's section
On the left as you enter, a vast area of small anonymous graves recalls the epidemics that struck the Mellah. Around 6,000 children who died in a typhus epidemic in the 19th century are buried here.
The tombs of the kohanim
Near the entrance, the tombs of the kohanim, descendants of the priests of the Temple, are painted blue and stand out against the white of the other graves. A small exhibition also covers the history of the Jews of Marrakech and of the cemetery.
Infos pratiques
Tips
The caretaker asks for an entrance fee or a donation, payable in cash. Men must cover their heads: a kippah is lent at the entrance if you do not have one. Wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees, do not walk on the graves and keep a low profile if a burial or pilgrimage is taking place. Most epitaphs are in Hebrew: the caretaker can point out the rabbis' tombs.
How to get there
Entrance on Rue Taoualat el-Miâara, east of the Mellah, in the south-east of the medina On foot from Place des Ferblantiers: about 10 minutes through the Mellah On foot from Jemaa el-Fna square: about 25 minutes via Rue Riad Zitoun el-Jdid and the Mellah By petit taxi: ask for the "cimetière juif" or "Miâara"
Opening hours
Nearby
Comments
No comments yet.