Located in the heart of the Medina, the Djema-el-Fna square is both the geographical center of Marrakech and the essential socio-cultural meeting place of the city.
It is dominated by the minaret of the Quessabine mosque, between the souk and the Kotoubia minaret.
The place Djema-el-Fna has not always been the lively and warm place it is today.
Indeed, its name in Arabic means “assembly of the dead”, it was the place of strike where the criminals were executed and their heads nailed to the walls and exposed to the eyes of the passers-by.
This is where you access the souks with its narrow streets lined with small shops, public writers, marabouts, sellers of grigris and even tooth pullers.
Around the square, you will have access to various out-of-the-ordinary services such as clairvoyance consultations or magic recipes.
During the day, snake charmers, henna tattooers or monkey owners who offer pictures with their animals rub elbows with jugglers, musicians and acrobats. We even organize amateur boxing matches.
Do not hesitate to climb on one of the many terraces lining the square to isolate you a few moments of this teeming life, to taste gazelle horns accompanied by a mint tea.
One of the best hours to admire the place from these cornices is really when the sun begins to set, and where the stalls activate their furnaces to prepare the evening meal.
The intoxicating smoke, the tamtams, and the glow of the loupiotes which illuminate the sentry boxes lend themselves very well to the ritual photo.
At night, the place deserted by the acrobats is invaded by street restaurants that offer delicious typical Moroccan dishes for very small sums.
In the evenings, you can enjoy traditional and unpretentious meals at unbeatable prices.
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