The Arsat gardens of Marrakech

‘Arsat’ is a term coined by the 19th century writer and Islamic scholar Hocine El Yamani, it’s meaning is to indicate the urban spaces which were cultivated and transformed into botanical gardens by the order of the kings of the Alaouite dynasty.

These gardens have held a key significance in Moroccan culture for many centuries, from acting as a space in which to debate local political matters to being a location in which families and friends can organise a N’zaha (a picnic ritual involving tanjia, tea and Marrakshi songs).

As the gardens sprung up in the times of the Alaouites, they took on the names of individuals of significance, such as Arsat Moulay, Arsat Salam, Arsat Ghandafi, Arsat Naciri, Arsat Louarzazi in the red city of Marrakech. Other times however, the gardens take on the names of particular fruits that grow amongst their leaves, such as Arset Zitoun (olives), Arsat Lhamed (lemon), Arsat Nkhel (palms) and Arsat Limoun (orange).

The notion of the Arsat can mean a variety of things for different people, but one unifying feature is that the gardens are a space of serenity and of harmony. Our luxury Riad Hotels are but a short walk from any one of the Arsat botanical gardens scattered across the red city of Marrakech.

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