The walls of Marrakech have surrounded the medina since 1126-1127, when the Almoravid emir Ali ibn Yusuf had them built in a few months to protect the city. Made of rammed earth, lime and gravel, they stand 6 to 8 metres high and are reinforced every 25 to 30 metres by square towers. The regional tourist office speaks of more than 10 km of walls and 202 towers; other sources, which include the Kasbah, give about 19 km. Some twenty gates, or "bab", pierce them, and the whole ensemble has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site, together with the medina, since 1985.
Highlights
Bab Agnaou
Completed around 1188-1190 under the Almohad caliph Yaqub al-Mansur, this is the ceremonial gate of the Kasbah, made of carved sandstone rather than rammed earth. Its arch is framed by polylobed arches and a Quranic frieze in foliated Kufic script. It stands next to Bab er-Robb, the only city gate set in a corner of the walls.
Bab Doukkala
This massive Almoravid gate in the north-west of the medina has kept its original bent-entrance plan: the passage turns twice at right angles to slow down attackers. It opens onto the Bab Doukkala Mosque district and the nearby bus station.
Bab Debbagh and Bab el-Khemis
To the east, Bab Debbagh, the "Tanners' Gate", takes its name from the tanneries that have operated beside it since Almoravid times; its passage, which bends five times, is the most complex in the city. Further north, Bab el-Khemis is named after the Thursday market once held nearby; a flea market still sets up there.
Walking the walls
Much of the enclosure can be followed on foot or by horse-drawn carriage, along tree-lined paths on the new town side, notably between Bab Doukkala and the Koutoubia. At the end of the day, the setting sun deepens the reddish ochre of the rammed earth that earned Marrakech its nickname of "the Red City".
Infos pratiques
Tips
The walls and gates can be seen for free, from the outside, at any hour. A full carriage tour is negotiated at Jemaa el-Fna square or near the Koutoubia: agree on the price and duration before getting in. At Bab Debbagh, touts offer to take you to the tanneries: only accept knowingly, as payment will be requested.
How to get there
Bab Agnaou: south of the medina, about 15 minutes on foot from Jemaa el-Fna square via the Koutoubia Bab Doukkala: north-west of the medina, about 20 minutes on foot from Jemaa el-Fna square, next to the bus station Bab Debbagh and Bab el-Khemis: north-east of the medina, reachable by petit taxi Carriages: ranks between Jemaa el-Fna square and the Koutoubia
Opening hours
Nearby
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