A Visit to the Saadian Tombs in Marrakech
Tombs from the Saadi Dynasty that ruled Morocco for nearly 100 years beginning in 1549. The Saadian Tombs can be found at the southwestern part of the Old Medina and near Palais El Badii.
The Saadian Tombs
The enclosure consists of two main mausoleums, with 66 tombs laid out within them and over 100 more outside in the gardens. The first mausoleum, seen on the left as you enter, is the finest of the two. Built to house Mansour’s tomb and completed during his lifetime, its vaulted roof, fine carvings and stunning zellij tiles recall the Alhambra in Granada (built 200 years earlier).
The first hall is an oratory and probably not originally intended for burial, but nevertheless contains the thin marble stones of several Saadian princes. Here also is the tomb of the mad Moulay Yazid, which ironically conflicts with the black-and-white script in the hall that reads, “And the works of peace they have accomplished will make them enter the holy gardens.”
In the back of the mausoleum is a very fine mihrab, supported by a delicate group of columns. El Mansour’s tomb is in the domed central chamber, flanked by the tombs of his sons and successors.
The second mausoleum is older but less impressive. It was built by Ahmed el Mansour in place of an existing pavilion over the tombs of his mother and of the founder of the Saadian dynasty, Mohammed ech Sheikh. The former is below the dome in the outer chamber; most of the latter is buried in the inner chamber (he was murdered in the Atlas mountains by Turkish mercenaries and his head was put on public display in Istanbul).
Scattered around the gardens are the tombs of over 100 more Saadian princes and members of the royal household, including a few Jewish graves. The gravestones are covered in brilliantly coloured tiles and most have inscriptions with epitaphs and quotes from the Qur’an.
History of the Saadian Tombs
This site may have been a burial ground before the Saadian period, but the earliest known burial dates from 1557 and all the main buildings were constructed under Sultan Ahmed el Mansour (1578-1603). The site is contemporary with the Ben Youssef Medersa and the similarities between the two are evident.
When Moulay Ismail (1672-1727) took over in Marrakesh, he systematically destroyed the adjacent Badi Palace but superstition probably kept him from destroying the burial ground. Instead, he sealed up all the entrances to the Saadian Tombs except for an obscure one from the Kasbah Mosque.
Nevertheless, a few prominent citizens were buried here after it was sealed up: the last was the “mad sultan” Moulay Yazid in 1792, who ruled for 22 violent months. Immediately following his brutal suppression of a rebellion based in Marrakesh, he was shot in the head during a counterattack.
The Saadian Tombs lay hidden and mostly forgotten until 1917 when they were discovered during a French aerial survey and a passageway was built from the side of the Kasbah Mosque. The tombs’ long neglect has ensured their preservation and they have since been fully restored to their original glory.
The tile work is beyond incredible and mesmerising to view with and without your camera. Signage explaining what you are viewing is at a bare minimum, so be sure to take along a good guidebook.
Where are The Saadian Tombs? How do I get to Saadian Tombs?
Saadian Tombs GPS Coordinates :: 31.6171° N, 7.9891° W
From the Djemaa el Fna, follow Rue Bab Agnaou south outside the ramparts. At the end is a small square flanked by two gates; through the gate on the left (Bab Agnaou, from Almohad times) is the Kasbah mosque. The narrow passageway to the Saadian tombs is well-signposted at the right-hand corner of the mosque.
Map Showing Location of Saadian Tombs
