Marrakech, day 4

 Our last day was spent walking to the Jewish area, known as Mellah and to the Bahia Palace, the wooden carved ceilings and doors, tiling and painted wood in the Palace, lovingly restored, were spectacular.

Many Muslim houses are identifiable as have Fatimas hand door knockers like the one above. Their balconies face into courtyards and are not visible from outside, whereas the Jewish houses in the Mellah are identified by their balconies overlooking the street.  Gradually, since the forming of the State of Israel in 1948, the Jewish population chose to relocate, the 2000 residents gradually reduced to 200.  Muslims and Jews live side by side here peacefully.

Above pictures are of Mellah area/market ...  below is the 19th century Bahia Palace.  There was so much beautiful carved wood throughout like this wooden doorway, the detail throughout was exquisite and so well preserved.  Work like this is still done by hand in the current day.

The ceilings within are hand painted in considerable detail.

In traditional style the centre had a water fountain.  Riads are built in this design because it provides ventilation and shade for the residents and natural light.  It's a calming oasis in a hot climate.  

This type of tiling is all done by hand, cut to size mosaic pieces, I saw the same beautiful designs being made by hand in workshops open to the street.  If I could have got something like this home, I would have!

Although it didn't take long to explore, it has left a lasting impression. 

We were told that palaces like this were built behind plan walls so that the people living outside would not see the wealth and beauty within and feel deprived.

Wearing a new All About Audrey dress, sensible sandals, charity shopped Italian leather belt, Primarni hat.

Hubby has taken some video of our days out and (when time permits) I will make a Youtube film and share the link to my travel blog soon.  Thanks for visiting my blog.