What makes an old medina home full of character are the gracious lines and curves that integrate so seamlessly - archway doors, a courtyard fountain, camel skin sconces, iron lanterns, the most incredible
zellij (tile mosaic) work and brave colors. Homes in Morocco are so alive - my favorites are the ones with a living rooftop space and also the ones that have an interior courtyard space for afternoon relaxation.
During the mornings right after breakfast, I go to the rooftop outdoor living space and simply marvel at the views of Marrakeshi homes. Because the tallest structures are the mosques (every neighborhood has to have a mosque), they make pretty good visual cues about location. This is the central mosque at the medina which was taken while I was peering through the iron railings of the rooftop at my hotel (see photo on left).
I also had the pleasure of visiting the famous
Ali Ben Youssef medersa, a school of Koran which used to house students (and at one point was the largest Koranic school in North Africa) - I have never seen tile work as beautiful as those I found at this medersa in Marrakesh. Simply breathtaking!
Another interesting 19th century architectural piece is this courtyard fountain at the La Bahia Palace, a few minutes walk from the central square in Marrakesh, which used to be a harem. It has a wonderful display of painted wood, ceramics, smooth marble and symmetrical gardens.
Last and not least, here is another example of the grandiosity of arched doorways typical of grand homes and palaces in Morocco with intricate carvings - and the smaller the carving, the richer the details seem to be.
What a fun treasure hunt it has been this past weekend going through the shops at Andersonville. This up-and-coming, yet still a diverse and earthy neighborhood on Chicago's northside, celebrated its 43rd Annual Midsommarfest on June 14 and 15, 2008. And as if by divine luck, I stumbled upon a Moroccan shop - Marrakech Treasures! As I walked through the door I instantly recalled the souks of Marrakesh which I visited just a month ago. This shop is by far the only full-pledged shop I know that sells a plethora of Moroccan items in Chicago's northside. I was lucky to have found this beautiful Moroccan lantern (12" wide x 24" high) - substantial enough to make a statement in my living room. So here it is, I proudly show a traditional Moroccan lantern, lighting gracefully, and keeping me company as I listen to the Rhythms of Morocco on this balmy Monday night.
What makes an old medina home full of character are the gracious lines and curves that integrate so seamlessly - archway doors, a courtyard fountain, camel skin sconces, iron lanterns, the most incredible zellij (tile mosaic) work and brave colors. Homes in Morocco are so alive - my favorites are the ones with a living rooftop space and also the ones that have an interior courtyard space for afternoon relaxation.
During the mornings right after breakfast, I go to the rooftop outdoor living space and simply marvel at the views of Marrakeshi homes. Because the tallest structures are the mosques (every neighborhood has to have a mosque), they make pretty good visual cues about location. This is the central mosque at the medina which was taken while I was peering through the iron railings of the rooftop at my hotel (see photo on left).
I also had the pleasure of visiting the famous Ali Ben Youssef medersa, a school of Koran which used to house students (and at one point was the largest Koranic school in North Africa) - I have never seen tile work as beautiful as those I found at this medersa in Marrakesh. Simply breathtaking!
Another interesting 19th century architectural piece is this courtyard fountain at the La Bahia Palace, a few minutes walk from the central square in Marrakesh, which used to be a harem. It has a wonderful display of painted wood, ceramics, smooth marble and symmetrical gardens.
Last and not least, here is another example of the grandiosity of arched doorways typical of grand homes and palaces in Morocco with intricate carvings - and the smaller the carving, the richer the details seem to be.
