History History

Human presence in Morocco dates back to 300,000 years before our era. In the^3rd millennium, agriculture and animal husbandry were introduced. 7th century BC: the Phoenicians established trading posts throughout the Mediterranean, followed by the Carthaginians. Rome, headed by Juba II, finally defeated Carthage and extended its power. In 682, Oqba ibn Nafi spread the word of Mohammed. In 788, Idriss ibn Abdallah, exiled from Baghdad, was welcomed by the converted Berbers of Oualila and founded the first Muslim dynasty in Morocco, the Idrissides. At the death of Idriss II, the dynasty sank into rivalries and the kingdom was divided

In the South, a Malikite preacher, Sanhadja Abdallah Ibn Yasin, began to lay the foundations of a movement that aspired to propagate a purified Islam. He set out to preach his reform by gathering his disciples in the ribats, religious convents. Carrying litham, these Berbers seized Sijilmassa, thus ensuring control of the trans-Saharan gold trade, and reached Aghmat at the gates of Marrakech

Yousef Ben Tachfine founded Marrakech under the wise advice of Zaynab Nefzaouia. Between two talwegs with rocky beds, the men created orchards and urban gardens. Through a network of underground pipes, they invented a hydraulic masterpiece, the khettara, which would lead to the emergence of a prosperous agriculture. This clever irrigation system will bring forth the fountains, basins and hammams dear to the cultural landscape.

Youssef Ben Tachfine came to the aid of the Taifa kingdoms of Andalusia - a puzzle of mini Arab kingdoms - in their struggle against the Christians. His expansion was stopped in Valencia by the Cid, who gave the Marrakesh princes a hard time.

Under the impulse of the Almoravid sultans, the city will impose itself as a cultural and religious metropolis and will offer its name to the whole country. It will be the golden age of Marrakech. Faced with the threat of rebels, the son of Youssef Ben Tachfine, Ali Ben Youssef, protected the city by surrounding it with a large pink adobe wall that is still standing

The religious scholar Ibn Toumert built a mosque in Tinmel at an altitude of 1,500 m and raised an army to wage a holy war against Marrakech. But it is his lieutenant Abd el-Moumen who will found a pious dynasty that preaches the oneness of God, hence its name (el-mouhawwidoun, the unitarians).

The Almohads destroyed all traces of the impious. Only the dome koubba will remain, housing an ablutions basin

The city will be embellished by the development of the Agdal, the Menara, and especially the construction of the Koutoubia, twin of the Giralda.

Second golden age of Marrakech under the reign of Yacoub el-Mansour, "the golden one", whose empire will be the framework of a prestigious artistic and intellectual life.

A crushing defeat at Las Navas de Tolosa for the troops of An-Nasir against a coalition of Christian empires aided by the Crusaders.

Power passed into the hands of the Marinids, who took over the major cities of Morocco and elected Fez el-Jdid "the new" as their capital

Abu Youssef Yacoub arrived in Marrakech. The procession of successors is illustrated by a disastrous policy.

The very last Merinid Abu Inan met a tragic end when he was strangled by his grand vizier. The turbulent empire fell into the hands of viziers who would taint the history with intrigues and revolts of all kinds

Jews and Muslims from the Iberian Peninsula who rejected any religious conversion took refuge in Morocco en masse to escape the Inquisition

The Ouattassides take over the central power which collapses. Morocco fell under the control of warlike tribes and powerful local marabouts

The Saadians, descendants of Mohammed, overthrew the Ouattassides and elected Marrakech as their royal city

The Mellah was founded under the reign of Abdallah al-Ghalib near the imperial kasbah, allowing the sultan to "better protect his Jewish subjects". They were given a quasi-monopoly of the sugar economy

The battle of the Three Kings annihilated an impressive Portuguese army and curbed the Lusitanian aims in Morocco

Ahmed el Mansour became the richest ruler in the world by coveting gold, salt and slaves from Niger. Thanks to this fruitful trade, he was able to buy the Carrara marble that would adorn his sumptuous el-Badi palace. At his death, the provinces were torn apart as much as his sons who ended up killing each other after a dense web of intrigues. The country was split into two rival kingdoms, Marrakech and Fez, while the privateers of Salé claimed their own republic

Taking advantage of the prevailing anarchy, the Alaouites, settled in Tafilalet since the 13th century, launched raids to take over the strategic trade routes. It is on the shoulders of the unifying sultan Moulay Rachid that rests the destiny of this dynasty still in power today

Long reign of Moulay Ismael. Marrakech was abandoned in favor of Meknes where he moved his capital and stripped El-Badi of all its wealth. At his death, the country was given over to a war of succession that lasted thirty years, and twelve sovereigns reigned in the space of a single generation.

Sidi Mohammed ben Abdallah entrusted the engineer Cournut with the construction of the port of Essaouira in order to ensure trade with foreign powers

Droughts and epidemics led to a general impoverishment of the kingdom while religious brotherhoods and dissident tribes gained ground.

Moulay Abdelaziz, at the age of 14, inherited the torments of the sultanate upon the death of his father Hassan I. His grand vizier Ba Ahmed governed the makhzen while the child-king showed extravagant whims. He expanded the Bahia Palace built in 1866 by his father Si Moussa.

Emile Mauchamp was assassinated in a climate of high political tension. Many people do not know that this drama was the pretext chosen by France to occupy Moroccan soil. Indeed, ten days later, French troops entered Morocco on March 29, 1907. Through health and military missions and monetary agreements, France finally imposed itself on the European competitors who coveted the country

Moulay Abdelaziz's brother, Moulay Hafid, opposed to the Sultan's passive attitude, deposed him with the support of Madani El Glaoui.

Moulay Hafid signed the agreements under the name of "French protectorate in the Cherifian Empire" which placed Morocco under tutelage in a country in turmoil. Hubert Lyautey was appointed resident general. He worked with the urban planner Henri Prost to design a modern city composed of two distinct areas: Guéliz and Hivernage

Sultan Moulay Hafid abdicated in favor of his half-brother, Moulay Youssef, after the establishment of the Protectorate. The conditions of his abandonment of the throne are tinged with mystery and he lasted only 4 years 7 months and 8 days

General Mangin entered the city to dislodge Ahmed Al-Hiba, leader of the armed resistance. The battle of Sidi Bou Othmane followed, in which the French emerged victorious

Jacques Majorelle built a house-studio on the edge of the new city, which he surrounded with a cactus garden. The painter from Lorraine will forever mark his adopted city with a particular color

The Mamounia Hotel starts its activity and attracts a wealthy clientele, including a renowned guest in the person of Sir Winston Churchill. Thami El Glaoui is enthroned pasha of Marrakech and will play a considerable political role

At the age of 18, Sidi Mohammed ben Youssef ascended the throne. The liberating sultan claimed his country's independence in the Tangier speech, which he gave twenty years later

Deposition and exile of Mohammed V, betrayed by the Glaoui. The people eventually rose up to show their support for the legitimate king who was repatriated in 1955

France grants independence to Morocco, Mohammed V becomes king and dies 5 years later.

A new page of history will turn Marrakech from a semi-lethargic provincial state to a people's destination. The arrival of artists who will attract like a magnet personalities such as the Rolling Stones or the architect Bill Willis. They will form a community of privileged aesthetes and participate in the glamorous reputation of the city.

Induction of Hassan II who will have the heavy task of building a nation. Arrest of the main opponents and disappearance of the socialist leader Mehdi ben Barka

The tourism industry is starting and urbanization is spreading to the point where the airport will be integrated into the urban fabric. The first signs of foreign interest in guest houses are appearing, riad facelifts are taking place, and cultural life is being revitalized. The impact of this change will be radical.

The medina of Marrakech becomes a protected site listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Jemaâ el Fna square will join it in 2001.

Death of Hassan II. Mohammed VI announces the acceleration of democratization. Unlike his late father, he will show his interest in the city by releasing capital and granting tax facilities for the creation of infrastructure

The king appoints the wali (prefect) Mohammed Assad as head of the region, who will inherit the airport and railway station

Attack on the Argana café on the Jemaâ el Fna square, epicenter of tourism.

COP22: this conference will have a worldwide impact by confirming the kingdom as a great country of ecology. Numerous projects have been launched to be in phase with the climate event (solar lighting, Vélib, electric buses, etc.).

Saad Eddine Al-Othmani, the leader of the PJD party with degrees in theology, was appointed head of government. He advocates a tolerant Islam, not hesitating to take a stand on societal issues such as abortion

Marrakech established itself as a leading tourist destination, welcoming nearly 3 million visitors from all over the world. New hotels were built, such as the Pestana owned by footballer Cristiano Ronaldo.

The ochre city pays a heavy social and economic price while the world epidemic of Covid-19 imposes a net stop to the tourist industry, essential engine of the city.

On September 8, 2023, a particularly violent earthquake struck the Haouz region, just outside Marrakech. Most of the villages in the High Atlas around Ouirgane were severely affected.