Meet in the heart of the Medina of Marrakech near the Medersa Ben Youssef mosque. City Lock takes you to an emblematic place to visit during your stay in Marrakech whether you are with friends or family. A true architectural and floral gem, this historic site offers two magnificent gardens and various buildings, including a high tower which dominates the Medina. A nice break in the middle of the colorful souks of the medina.
👉🏻 OPENING HOURS AND PRACTICAL INFORMATION :
Let’s start with practical information about the Jardin Secret:
🕤 Opening hours are different depending on each time of the year
February AND October: 9:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
From March to September: 9:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
From November to January: 9:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
🎫 You can buy your tickets directly on site, cash euros and dirhams and credit cards are accepted.
For an adult it will cost 100dhs (or around 10€) the price is reduced for Moroccan residents.
👉🏻 Are you under 24 and a student? Bring your proof to benefit from a reduced rate 😉
📍Rue Mouassine, 121, 40030 Marrakech-medina. To get there, start from Jemaa el Fna square. The GPS is precise enough to take you to the entrance to the Garden. The little extra? The walk to the site is very nice, this part of the souk is very “instagramable” 😉
☎️ +212 (0) 524390040
🔎 WHAT CAN YOU FIND THERE :
The water course: Marked by signs to allow you to follow the course.
The tower: A unique panoramic view of the medina and its surroundings as well as the Atlas mountains.
An “Oud el Ward” pavilion: An information point which will allow you to learn more about the history, architecture, gardens and water of the Secret Garden.
The “Hbiqa” pavilion: With its photographic exhibition on the work.
Two café-snack points: To rest and eat in the peaceful calm of the garden.
An exhibition space for works by national and international artists intended for sale.
👉🏻 Wifi is free on site, but if you want a more sustainable option, you can always rent your Pocket Wifi for unlimited 4g connection for the duration of your stay 😉
⛲ The history of the Jardin Secret:
The history of the garden dates back to the 16th century when Sultan Moulay Abd Allah initiated the construction of the Mouassine district. After periods of decline, the garden land was purchased in the 19th century. Rebuilt respecting the layout of the palace once built by an influential kingpin of the Atlas, Le Jardin Secret was the home of some of the highest political figures in Morocco and Marrakech.
However, after years of neglect, the garden was restored and opened to the public in 2016. The Secret Garden, which can now be fully appreciated thanks to its recent restoration, is part of the great tradition of Arab palaces. Andalusian and Moroccan.
🌱 The Garden :
The Secret Garden in Marrakech lives up to its name. How can we imagine such a vast and harmonious space, hidden behind these high walls in the heart of the medina? It is part of one of the largest riads in the city.
The Secret Garden is made up of two parts:
An exotic garden planted with plants from all over the world, accustomed to similar climates. The exotic garden recalls the experimental aspect of the great gardens of Marrakech throughout the centuries. From medieval times to the beginning of the 20th century, Marrakech was renowned as a garden city, nicknamed "rose among the palm trees", "oasis in the desert" or "Al-Bahja", city of happy life and the outdoors , with emblematic gardens like Agdal and Menara.
An Islamic Garden divided into four flowerbeds separated by paths. It has been restored to reflect its appearance in the 19th century, providing a peaceful oasis associated with the riad structures, with trees providing shade and an enclosed space for relaxation and reflection.
As almost always in Islamic gardens, you will find a center of the garden, a large marble basin sheltered by a pavilion.
👉🏻 Raise your head and admire its beautiful colorful ceiling and exposed beams.
The irrigation system has been preserved through the generations to supply the fountains, basins and basins of the Riad. Muslim civilization also considers water as a symbol of life and a sign of the existence and power of God, and paradise is described in the Koran as “gardens under which streams flow”.
💧 Follow the water routes from the points marked on site. They invite you to discover how water from the Atlas Mountains was distributed inside the Riad.
The ornamentation of the Secret Garden is marked by the abundant use of tadelakt on the brick and adobe walls, as well as zellij and bejmat from Fez, inlaid cedar wood, hand-carved plasterwork and geometric paintings. made by local artisan decorators.
The Secret Garden tower offers a remarkable view of the medina, the surrounding area and the Atlas Mountains, reaching the same height as some of the city's minarets. It is one of the rare constructions of this type remaining in Marrakech.
🎫 Access to the tower is by purchasing a specific ticket and is reserved for audiences aged six and over. Allow 40dhs for the access ticket and 30dhs for Moroccans. Guided tours take place every 30 minutes.
This garden, a metaphor for paradise, is a sacred place where Muslim geometric order dominates wild nature.
👉🏻 Our advice? Go there at the end of the day for the “wow” effect of the view at the end of the day with the setting sun.
What we remember about the que Jardin secret :
18 years old:
The number of years of reconstruction after decades of abandonment.
17m:
The height in meters of the Secret Garden tower. It offers a spectacular panoramic view of the Medina and the Atlas Mountains.
19th Century:
The Islamic garden of the Secret Garden retains design features dating back to the 19th century, and it is closely linked to Persian garden traditions seen as early as the 6th century BC. AD
Tom Stuart Smith:
The landscaper who contributed to the design of the exotic garden of Jardin Secret. He integrated plants from all over the world to create a unique atmosphere.
Craft heritage:
The ornamentation of the Secret Garden highlights the excellence of local craftsmanship produced by master decorators.
Islamic Paradise:
The Secret Garden's Islamic garden is designed as a metaphor for the paradise described in the Quran, with its strict geometric rules and Muslim order that prevails over the disorder of the wilderness.
Unusual:
This is an unusual place not to be missed during your visit to Marrakech! 😉
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