Bahia Palace in Marrakech
The Bahia Palace (Palais de la Bahia), stands out as one of the most impressive structures in Marrakech. The building was created at the tail end of the nineteenth century with the intention of becoming the most magnificent palace in the history of the world.
The Grand Vizier Ba Ahmed ben Moussa was the one who commissioned the construction of the palace, which was completed in two phases and took more than 10 years to finish. Towards the end of the nineteenth century, Abu Ahmed, a black slave who had risen to authority and reached the position of vizier, had the palace expanded and had artisans from all over the kingdom come to work on the residence.
There are 150 rooms in the property, which are spread out over eight hectares and access to a variety of patios and gardens. A visit to the harem of Abu Bou Ahmed, which contains his four wives and twenty-four concubines, is the most fascinating aspect of the trip.
It’s interesting to note that the palace literally means “the beautiful.” According to a number of hypotheses, the palace was given the name “bahia” either because of the architectural splendor of the building or because it was named for the viziar’s favorite lady.
Empty rooms
Unfortuitously, the Bahia Palace is completely devoid of any occupants. Many people, including the vizier’s wives and the Sultan, stole all of the artwork and furnishings from the palace in order to adorn their own courts once the vizier passed away.
Fortunately, the spectacular design that was on the ceiling has not been damaged in any way.
Not to be missed!
The Bahia Palace is, in our view, one of the most impressive tourist destinations in Marrakech, despite the fact that the rooms of the palace are devoid of most of the decorative elements that are often found in palaces.
It is strongly recommended that you pay the admission price of 10 dh (US$ 1) in order to see this magnificent residence, unless you are only in Marrakech for a few days and do not have sufficient time.
More interesting with a guide
Given that the palace is completely empty and there is very little information in English, we recommend booking a guided tour so that you can make the most of your visit
