Maison de la Photographie (House of Photography), Marrakech (must see)

The House of Photography is one of the medina’s most engaging cultural institutions, offering a vivid window into Morocco’s past through the lens of early photography. Opened in 2009, the museum occupies a beautifully restored 1920s inn whose traditional architecture—carved wooden balconies, tiled floors, and an airy central courtyard—creates an intimate and atmospheric setting for its collection.

The museum was founded with the purpose of preserving and showcasing Morocco’s photographic heritage. Their collection now includes over ten thousand of original photographs, postcards, glass plates, and documents dating from the 1870s to the 1950s. These rare images capture a world that has largely vanished: Berber communities in the Atlas Mountains, early portraits of Marrakech’s residents, bustling markets, desert caravans, and scenes of rural life long before modernisation reshaped the country. Many of the photographs were taken by explorers, military officers, and travelling artists who documented Morocco during pivotal historical moments.

The museum is particularly compelling because it presents Morocco from the perspective of daily life rather than grand monuments or official portraits. The black-and-white images reveal details of clothing, tools, architecture, and traditions that provide an extraordinary sense of authenticity. Remarkably, one of the exhibits is the first color movie documentary filmed in 1957 on the Berber tribes of the High Atlas. Temporary exhibitions rotate regularly, about every six months, ensuring that repeat visitors can always discover something new.

One of the highlights is the rooftop terrace, which offers stunning panoramic views over the medina, with the Atlas Mountains rising in the distance. It is an ideal spot to pause after exploring the galleries, enjoy a quiet drink, and take in the scenery that early photographers once sought to capture.