One of the first things your thirsty, adventurous mind starts wondering about when arriving in a new city is the culture of its people, especially when the city you're in is Marrakech. Everything here seems unique and authentic, blending together traditional African style and European influences. Take the tour below and enjoy the best of Marrakech's culture.
1) Jemaa el Fna
This major square is known as an important music venue in Marrakech. Here you can enjoy African rhythms and the sounds of all sorts of instruments from banjos and guitars to traditional African drums. During the evening the street musicians take over the Jemaa el Fna. Among them you can meet both emerging and famous artists.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Ahron de Leeuw
2) Ministero del Gusto
Located in the heart of the Medina, Ministero del Gusto is a small art space owned by visual artists. The gallery was established in 1998. It displays avant-garde works of artistic geniuses from all over the world. The prominent feature of the works exhibited here is the modern African touch.
3) Museum of Marrakech
The museum is located in Marrakech's old city, Medina. It is a perfect example of classical architecture, with beautiful fountains and seating-areas. Modern and traditional arts are combined here. You can find examples of ancient books, pottery, and Moroccan coins.
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4) La Qoubba Galerie d'Art
Whether you are an art lover or just looking forward to discovering Moroccan art, La Qoubba Galerie d'Art is the right place for you to visit. Here you will find paintings from all over the country, all reflecting modern and postmodern styles. The gallery is located not far from the Marrakech Museum.
5) Maison Tiskiwin (Musée Bert Flint)
Visiting Maison Tiskiwin can take you on a journey along the Gold Road to Timbuktu. This traditional Moroccan house offers its visitors a variety of national costumes, jewelry, tools, and carpets which have been collected for over 50 years by art historian Bert Flint.
Image Courtesy of Flickr and Vince Millett
6) Majorelle Museum
Situated in the picturesque Majorelle Garden, this museum was opened in the 1980s. Majorelle Museum is a tribute to vivid colors and natural beauty. It focuses on Islamic art. The building that hosts the museum once was the art studio of Jacques Majorelle.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Tipiac
7) Gallery Re
Gallery Re is located on the corner of Mosque and Ibn Toummert streets. The gallery is housed in the two-story building, the Al Andalous III Residence. Here you'll find works executed by emerging Moroccan artists, such as M'barek Bouhchichi and Marrakshi Touria Othman.
Image Courtesy of Dounia Lamrani
8) Photo 127 Gallery
The Photo 127 Gallery is Morocco's only gallery which focuses on photographic art. The gallery is located on the second floor of the building at 127 Ave Mohammed V, Gueliz. The interior design of the place is rather simple and industrial. The works exhibited here feature various photographic styles.
9) Noir sur Blanc Gallery
Noir sur Blanc Gallery is located in the New City of Marrakech, Gueliz. It is a contemporary art gallery featuring talented artists from all over Morocco. You can see here the calligraphic paintings of Marrakshis Larbi Cherkaoui, as well as the works of Binebine, Bourkia, Yamou, Nadim, and Laffont. This art space features three separate showrooms where all sort of workshops, exhibitions, and meetings take place.
10) Matisse Art Gallery
Founded by Nabil El Mellouki and Youssef Falaki, Matisse Art Gallery displays the works of talented and well-known Moroccan artists, such as Chater Nourredine, Mohamed Melehi, and Hassan El Glaoui. The gallery was founded in 1999. The building which houses the gallery can be easily recognized by its striking marble front.
Image Courtesy of Amal
11) Royal Theater
Opened in 2001, the Royal Theater is a very popular cultural venue in Marrakech. Located in Gueliz, it is also known as an important architectural site in the area. The place features a 1200-seat open-air amphitheater and an 800-seat concert hall/opera house.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and gildemax