One of the corners not too well known that you should not miss on your trip to Marrakech, in Morocco, are the Saadiens Tombs.
And I say corner because they are in an area that has remained practically hidden for centuries, until in 1917 the access to it was rediscovered.
The Saadiens Tombs are found in the Kasbah of the Medina of Marrakech.
If you enter this walled enclosure crossing under the beautiful Bab Agnaou Gate, on the southeast side of the Medina wall, just in front you find the great mosque of the Kasba, and on the right, for a narrow passage, you can access this beautiful Marrakech corner.
History of Saadiens Tombs
The origin of the Saadiens Tombs of Marrakech dates back to the time when the Saadí dynasty reigned in Morocco, between the years between 1524 and 1659.
Sultan Ahmed El Mansour, also known as El Dorado, decided to build a mausoleum in 1557 on his father’s grave, which is known as the Lalla Messaouda Mausoleum.
But it is later when it is decided to build another new mausoleum, this formed by three rooms joined by doors to each other, and in which the central room, known as the Room of the Twelve Columns, now shows us a decoration of incredible beauty.
After the fall of the Saadí dynasty, the Alawite Sultan Mulai Ismail ordered to destroy all the vestiges of the Saadis, which meant the destruction of palaces and other buildings.
A sample of this you will see if you visit the nearby El Badi Palace, whose historic strength is barely left the walls.
In the case of the Saadiens Tombs, it was simply decided to hide them, so that, until the aforementioned rediscovery in 1907, their enclosure was hidden behind a closed door that is located in the Kasba mosque.
What to see in the visit of the Saadiens Tombs
When you pass through the current access to the Saadiens Tombs of Marrakech, you enter an enclosure with a garden area and completely surrounded by high walls.
Possibly you will see a long line of visitors, so you will have to stand in line to see the mausoleum of the Twelve Column Hall.
On one side of the garden you will see the Lalla Messaouda Mausoleum, with the ground covered by elongated stones, which are the first Saadian tombs that you will see.
Also, the decoration of this mausoleum is a simple preview of the jewel you will see.
Indeed, after queuing, you reach a very narrow door, where there are barely two people; From here you will be able to appreciate the enormous beauty of the decoration of the mentioned Room of the Twelve Columns.
This square-shaped room, with ten meters on each side, shows us one of the most beautiful corners that you will find in Marrakech.
On the floor you will see several Saadiens tombs, but the combination between the twelve columns of Carrara marble, the ceiling decorated with cedar wood with gold reliefs, and the beautiful lighting, will tempt you to stay for a while appreciating its architectural beauty .
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The walls are decorated with glazed tiles, and above the friezes, the walls are covered with stucco with the characteristic honeycomb drawing.
One tip: remember that behind you are the line with numerous visitors waiting for you to finish and allow them to look out the porch.
Next to the Room of the Twelve Columns are two other smaller and more austere rooms, the so-called Room of the Three Niches and the Mirhab Room.
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Tombs schedule in Marrakech
Finally, when planning your visit, keep in mind that the schedule of the Saadiens Tombs of Marrakech is, in the morning, from 8.30 to 11.45 hours, and in the afternoons, from 14.3 to 17, 45 hours
The price of admission to visit the Saadiens Tombs is 10 DH (0.90 euros).