islamic art

The Minbar de la Koutoubia at El Badi Palace

Not to be confused with the small fridge found in hotel rooms, a minbar is roughly the Islamic equivalent to a pulpit, the steps an Imam ascends during midday Friday prayers. It follows the form of the stairs used by the Prophet Mohammed to address the faithful in Mecca, and still remains an essential part […]

Decorated Berber furniture

There is a long tradition of decorating Berber furniture with painted patterns. In respect of islamic the patterns are geometric shapes that do not depict living things. This delightful litte table sits in the Essaouira Suite at Riad Cinnamon.  The decor in our Marrakech Riads is carefully selected to be reflect local tradition.

Islamic Inscriptions Marrakech

Due to scruples contained within Islamic texts it is forbidden to depict living creatures such as humans or animals. This has not however stopped the Islamic world from developing its own very distinctive and beautiful forms of art, indeed many of the forms and shapes expressed within the realms of Islamic art certainly have benefited from these cultural directives. […]

Ben Youssef Madrassa Marrakech

For a window into Islamic culture in the Mahgreb and the religious institutions that greatly influenced its development. One can do a lot worse than to visit the Ben Youssef Madrassa. Originally founded during the 14th Century during the Marinid Period by Sultan Abu al-Hassan, the building was first brought to great prominence by its reconstruction […]