Marrakech Museum facts for kids
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Main courtyard of the Marrakech Museum
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| Established | 1997 |
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| Location | Marrakesh, Morocco |
| Type | art museum |
| Key holdings | numismatics, ceramics |
| Collections | Moorish art |
The Marrakech Museum is a beautiful old palace that is now a museum. It's found in the heart of Marrakesh, Morocco. This museum is famous for its amazing Moroccan architecture. It also shows off many old and new art pieces from Morocco.
Contents
Discover the Museum's History
The museum is inside a building called Dar Mnebhi Palace. It was built in the early 1900s by a man named Mehdi al-Mnebhi. He was a powerful leader, a bit like a governor or chief, for the Mnabha tribe. He also served as the war minister for Sultan Moulay Abdelaziz from 1900 to 1908.
Mehdi al-Mnebhi had other homes, including one in Fez. His palace in Marrakesh was later taken over by the family of Pasha Thami El Glaoui. This happened while al-Mnebhi was away, working as an ambassador in London. Pasha El Glaoui was a very strong ruler of southern Morocco when the French controlled the country.
After Morocco became independent in 1956, the government took over the palace. In 1965, it became a girls' school. For a while, the palace was not well cared for. But then, the Omar Benjelloun Foundation carefully restored it. In 1997, it opened its doors as the museum we see today.
Explore the Palace's Architecture
The palace is a great example of Moroccan architecture from the late 1800s and early 1900s. Many rich families built grand palaces like this during that time.
The palace has a large main courtyard. This area was once an open garden with trees, like a traditional Moroccan riad. Today, it is paved and has a roof over it. The courtyard features several fountains. It is surrounded by covered walkways and wall fountains. All these areas are decorated with colorful zellij (tilework). You can also see beautiful painted and carved cedar wood.
A huge chandelier hangs in the center of the courtyard. It is made of brass pieces cut into fancy geometric and swirly designs. Many rooms open off the courtyard. Some of these rooms have even more detailed wood and stucco decorations. The palace also had roof terraces with a special pavilion called a menzeh. From here, people could enjoy views of the city. It also had important rooms like kitchens and a hammam (bathhouse). The hammam is easy to spot with its unique domed and arched ceilings.
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Entrance courtyard of the museum
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The main interior courtyard of the palace/museum
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Ornate wall fountain in the main courtyard, with painted wood and zellij decoration
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Brass chandelier over the middle of the courtyard
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One of the chambers and exhibition rooms off the courtyard, with painted wood ceiling and stucco and zellij wall decoration
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Domed ceiling in the hammam section of the palace
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See the Museum's Collection
The museum has a wide range of traditional art. These objects come from different parts of Morocco and from various groups of people. You can see things like old weapons, beautiful carpets, and traditional clothes. There is also pottery from Fez, Berber jewelry, and special items used in Jewish religious ceremonies.
The museum also shows modern art. These exhibits are often found in the palace's old kitchen and hammam areas. Sometimes, the museum hosts fun cultural events. These can include theater shows and music concerts.
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19th-century saddle on display in the museum (and historic rifle in the background)
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A 19th-century kummiya (dagger)
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Berber jewellery (20th century)
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Jewish liturgical objects on display
See also
In Spanish: Museo de Marrakech para niños
- Dar Si Said (another arts and crafts museum in Marrakesh)
- Bahia Palace (major palace with similar architecture in Marrakesh)
- Dar Batha (similar museum in Fes)
