Saadian Tombs, Marrakech (must see)

The Saadian Tombs date back to the late 16th century, during the reign of Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur, who ruled from 1578 to 1603. He ordered the creation of an elaborate mausoleum to house his own tomb, as well as those of his family and high-ranking officials. The Saadians were known for their appreciation of beauty and refinement, and the tombs reflect this through exquisite craftsmanship and architectural detail.

After the fall of the Saadian dynasty, their successors — the Alaouites — sealed off the tombs, hiding them from sight rather than destroying them. For more than two centuries, the site remained largely forgotten, preserved by neglect rather than intention. It wasn’t until 1917, when French aerial photography revealed their presence, that the tombs were rediscovered and opened to the public.

The complex of the Saadian Tombs is made up of two mausoleums. The larger and more significant one is located on the western end of the complex. It consists of three interconnecting rooms, with the Chamber of the Twelve Columns as the main attraction. From the outside, this chamber sits between the other two rooms. Once you step inside, you can easily recognize the space thanks to its twelve marble columns arranged in groups of three. Three principal tombs stand at the centre of the chamber, with the middle one belonging to Sultan al-Mansur himself. The beauty of the room cannot be overstated: it is a masterpiece of marble, calligraphy, plasterwork, and flowing geometric design.

When you step back outside, quiet garden pathways lead past dozens of lesser royal family members’ graves, many of them covered in beautiful mosaic tiles.

For anyone interested in history, architecture, or Morocco’s royal past, this is one of Marrakech’s most essential — and hauntingly beautiful — stops.