The Bahia Palace in Marrakech is a true masterpiece of Moroccan architecture and is the main attraction of the city. The construction of the palace began in 1880 and was completed in 1900. The building was erected on the orders of the Grand Vizier of Marrakech, Si Ahmed bin Moussa, for one of his wives.
During the construction, the Grand Vizier kept acquiring new plots, so the plan of the palace was constantly changing. Most of the chambers were completed individually, making the palace building resemble a huge labyrinth. Like most other buildings in the Arab-Andalusian style, Bahia Palace has a beautiful garden, a charming patio and many chambers decorated with wooden ceilings with patterns and exquisite mouldings.
The older part of the palace consists of a garden with cypresses, oranges, banana trees and fountains. The newer part was already being built under Sultan Abd al-Aziz. This work was carried out by the famous architect Muhammad bin Al-Maqqi Al-Misfiw.
The luxury and beauty of the palace could not leave alone the matured Sultan Abd al-Azizeh, becoming an object of envy, so after the death of the vizier Sidi Moussa he simply looted the palace.
From the outside, the house of the vizier almost does not resemble a palace. Fearing to arouse the envy of the people, the sultan ordered to avoid any decorations on the outside. That said, inside, the palace is amazing in its wealth and beauty. Wooden carved decorations, national mosaics, painted doors and ceilings made of cedar, cause special admiration of guests who visited the palace.
Today, of the 150 palace rooms, only the ground floor chambers are accessible to the public. The ceremonial hall, decorated with cedar from Meknes, is a favourite with visitors. From here you can access the grand courtyard, which is lined with expensive Carrara marble and surrounded by columns decorated with traditional arabesques. Here you can also admire the wonderful fountains made of Meknes marble.
