Djemaa el Fna, Marrakech

Photo © Hanse Peter Schaefer

This ominously named square in Marrakech, at the foot of the Atlas Mountains, has a sinister past. Djemaa el Fna, meaning ‘Assembly of the Dead’ in Arabic, was the site of public executions as far back as the 12th century.

Thankfully, these days it is a rather more upbeat location: bizarre and majestic circus acts, storytellers, sorcerers, dancers, false teeth pedlars, snake charmers and food stalls all entice the visitor to its manic and magical market.

Located in the old city, the souk will exceed your expectations two-fold and will be a highlight of any trip to Morocco. The square transforms throughout the day and is a spectacular place to gaze at life passing you by. A great vantage point is the Café De France, which offers a 270-degree view of the square.

Readers who enjoyed
this article also liked:

  • Pet cafes, South Korea

    No, not cafés with dog on the menu! Quite the opposite. These are cafés where animal lovers go to make a big soppy fuss of somebody else’s pets.

  • New Year witch, Italy

    While some lucky kids can expect Santa at Christmas, others will have to make do with an old hag.

  • Qbic Hotel, Amsterdam

    Qbic Hotels offer futuristic, cube shaped rooms, with double beds, a bathroom and desk all incorporated into one small square area.

Discuss