The Gates of the Medina: Bab Agnaou

While it’s nearby neighbor Bab er-Robb acts as the official entrance to the city, Bab Agnaou functions as the main entrance to the Kasbah which is the site of the El Badi Palace, the Saadian Tombs and the El Mansouria (the kasbah mosque). Bab Aganou is perhaps the most unique of Marrakech’s nineteen gates and it’s original function, as a royal entrance, is perhaps the reason for this. The corner-pieces are decorated with floral decorations extending around a shell is simply exquisite and this ornamentation is framed by three panels and on these panels is an inscription from the Quran.

Built in the 12th century in the time of the Almohad dynasty, Bab Aganou was originally built in blue-grey stone from Gueliz. Nowadays it has become nearly as red as the ramparts that surround it, thanks to the desert sand brought by the wind.

The Bab Agnaou also marks the finishing point of our ‘Woodworking’ Medina walk available for free on our Marrakech Riad app. If you would like to find out more about the Woodworking walk or any of other Medina walks then our Riad staff would be more than happy to help.