Today I'd like to take you with me to a really special place... A place full of beauty and spirituality: The Madrassa Ben Youssef, right in the heart of the medina in Marrakech. It's a visit I made recently.
Before I tell you about the visit, a few words about this magical place. The Madrassa Ben Youssef is one of the oldest and most famous Koranic schools in Morocco. It was founded in the 14th century and rebuilt in the 16th century by the Saadians. It is named after Sultan Ali Ben Youssef, who contributed enormously to the cultural and architectural wealth of Marrakech.
At its peak, the madrassa welcomed up to 900 students from all over the country, who came here to learn religious sciences, poetry, philosophy... It was a veritable centre of learning. And although the voices of the students have long since fallen silent, their traces are still everywhere. In the walls, in the carved wood, in the silence that now reigns in the old rooms.
My visit began like so many walks in Marrakech: on the Place Jemaa El Fna. The bustle, the sounds, the smells... This place is a veritable explosion of life. It's always impressive. And to get to the madrassa, you have to go down a long alleyway in the old medina, a real living labyrinth. This passage immediately put me in the mood: the alleyways were full of people, of all origins and cultures, wandering around, admiring, stopping in front of the little stalls. There was something new around every corner. Hanging lanterns, colourful carpets, glazed pottery, leather bags, babouches.... And what I really loved was the atmosphere: a mixture of bustle and conviviality, smiles, exchanges, even music. You could hear voices in Spanish, English, Arabic, French, German... It was as if all roads led to this corner of the medina.
After this lively little walk, I finally arrived at the door of the Madrassa Ben Youssef. It's discreet, almost hidden in the stone, but as soon as you step inside, a whole new world opens up.
I bought my ticket at the entrance, and crossed the threshold with a great deal of curiosity. I was expecting something beautiful, of course, but I didn't expect to be so touched by the serenity of the place. As soon as I took my first steps, I found myself in the central hall, a large open space with a lovely pool in the middle. The walls around me were extraordinary: finely worked zellige, carved wood, plasterwork chiselled with incredible precision. And everywhere, inscriptions in ancient Arabic, verses, learned formulas... Even without being able to read them all, you can feel their power.
The wooden ceilings are also splendid. I looked up several times, mesmerised by the meticulous work and details that tell of a time when craftsmanship was a truly sacred language.
After admiring the hall for a long time, I climbed the stairs to see the rooms upstairs, where the students lived and studied. It's quite moving, really. The rooms are small, simple, sometimes dark, but they have a very strong soul. I stopped in front of several of these rooms, trying to imagine the young men who spent hours studying here, reading by candlelight, reciting their lessons. It wasn't as comfortable as it is today, but there was a depth to their daily lives, a sincere and silent quest for knowledge.
The best thing is that from each room you can see the main hall through small windows. These openings offer magnificent views over the basin. I took a few photos from these heights.
What I felt throughout this visit was a deep respect for this place, for those who built it and those who studied there. The madrassa is not just a monument. It is a silent witness to centuries of knowledge, faith, art and culture. Before leaving, I took one last look around the hall, to engrave all these magnificent details in my memory.
Then I went out, back to the lively streets of the medina, the cries, the colours, the scents of spices and leather.
If you're ever in Marrakech, I highly recommend a visit to the Madrassa Ben Youssef. It's a real gem, a jewel from the past that's still vibrant today. See you soon for another post! Don't hesitate to leave me your impressions or tell me about your own memories of this place, if you've already been there.
I'm Redwan from Morocco ! I've always had a passion for travelling and discovery. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than exploring new places, whether historical, archaeological or in the heart of nature. Through my blogs, you can discover the hidden gems of Morocco, whether you want to admire the fascinating architecture of a historic site, delve into the legends surrounding an archaeological site, or simply marvel at the beauty of Moroccan nature!
Marrakesh
