HM the King launches important projects intended to preserve the historical heritage of the old medina of Marrakech and strengthen its tourist vocation

Marrakech – His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God help him, launched, Monday in Marrakech, important projects intended to preserve the historical heritage of the ancient medina of the Ocher City and to strengthen its tourist and international vocation.

The Sovereign thus launched the program of restoration and enhancement of the tourist and spiritual circuits of the old medina of Marrakech, as well as the construction projects of the level 1 urban health center « Merstan », reconstruction of the first aid center of the « Moroccan Red Crescent » in Jamaâ El Fna and redevelopment of that of the El Mellah district, and the restoration of the Medersa « Ben Youssef.”

Following the objectives of the “Marrakech, City of Permanent Renewal” Development Plan, these projects reflect the particular interest the Sovereign places in the preservation and enhancement of the historical heritage of several cities in the Kingdom, and His firm determination to safeguard the different layers of national memory.

They also testify to the desire of HM the King, Amir Al Mouminine, to highlight the intangible, religious, cultural and architectural capital of the city of Marrakech, to consolidate the place of this City-Museum as a flagship tourist destination in Morocco, and to promote the living conditions of its inhabitants.

Thus, the program of restoration and enhancement of the tourist and spiritual circuits of the old medina of Marrakech provides for the restoration and enhancement of the tourist circuit going from “Dar El Bacha” to the “Ben Youssef” Square, notably through the renovation and beautification of the facades of the buildings along this circuit.

With a budget of 100 million dirhams (MDH), the restoration of this sequence (1,500 m) also includes the construction of wooden roofs for the souks, and the treatment and restoration of nine foundouks (Tadlaoui, El Omri, El Mizane, Kherbouch, Sersar I and II, El Bacha, El Haj Tahar, Boukhabiya), two mosques (Sidi Abdelaziz, El Mokhteriyine) and the “Sidi Abdelaziz” Mausoleum.

The program of restoration and enhancement of the tourist and spiritual circuits of the ancient medina of Marrakech also concerns the spiritual circuit of the seven Saints (Sidi Youssef Ben Ali, Cadi Ayyad Ben Moussa, Sidi Abdelaziz Tebbaâ, Abderrahmane Ben Abdallah Assouhaili, Abou El Abbas Assabti, Sidi Ben Slimane Al Jazouli, and Abdallah El Ghazouani)

The rehabilitation of this sequence also requires investments of around 100 million DH, and consists of the restoration of 10 public squares, the renovation of six fountains, the renovation of 60 doors, six mausoleums (Sidi Ben Slimane Al Jazouli, Sidi Youssef Ben Ali, Cadi Ayyad Ben Moussa, Sidi Abdelaziz Tebbaâ, Abderrahmane Ben Abdallah Assouhaili, and Abdallah El Ghazouani), and the renovation of the facades overlooking this circuit.

In addition to this program of restoration and enhancement of tourist and spiritual circuits, the old medina of Marrakech will see the implementation of several projects intended to improve the conditions of access of populations to basic services, and to preserve the historical heritage of the old medina of Marrakech.

Indeed, the restoration of the “Ben Youssef” madrasa will be carried out, an architectural jewel built in the heart of the old medina, near the “Ben Youssef” Mosque. This project, which will be carried out by the Ministry of Habous and Islamic Affairs for a budget of 61 million dirhams, testifies to the desire of HM the King, Amir Al Mouminine, to preserve the cultural and civilizational heritage of the ancient cities of Morocco.

It reflects, like the restoration projects of the historic Medersas of the ancient medina of Fez, the firm determination of the Sovereign to restore the Medersas to their letters of nobility, in the dissemination of the Islamic values of the golden mean, moderation, tolerance and openness to others.

Other projects launched today by HM the King are those relating to the construction of the level 1 urban health center “Merstan” in Sidi Ishaq (3 million dirhams, including 1 million as a contribution from the National Initiative for Human Development), reconstruction of the first aid center of the “Moroccan Red Crescent” in Jamaâ El Fna and redevelopment of that of the El Mellah district (4.95 MDH).

HM King Mohammed VI, may God help him, chaired, on this occasion, the signing ceremony of the agreement relating to the financing, restoration and development of the tourist and spiritual circuits of the ancient Medina of Marrakech.

This agreement was signed by MM. Mohamed Hassad, Minister of the Interior, Mohamed Boussaid, Minister of Economy and Finance, Nabil Benabdellah, Minister of Housing and Urban Policy, Ahmed Akhchichen, president of the Marrakech-Safi regional council, Mohamed Larbi Belcaid, president of the Marrakech municipal council, and Badr Kanouni, president of Holding Al-Omrane.

HM the King, at the same time, visited the renovation and reconversion site of the old “Dar El Bacha” into a “Musée des Confluences”. This project (12 MDH), supported by the National Foundation of Museums, will have an exhibition space dedicated to the art of Islam where writing desks, tablets and various objects relating to science and Islamic knowledge will be exhibited.

It will also include a space reserved for the universal collection of Patty Cadby Birch, representing the four continents (America, Africa, Europe, Asia), a permanent exhibition space which would contain historical and archaeological data demonstrating the different facets of Moroccan culture, and a space dedicated to temporary exhibitions.

These different projects are in addition to the multiple actions and initiatives undertaken by the Sovereign for the protection and promotion of the old medina of Marrakech, in particular the urban requalification program of Hay El Mellah, the project for the requalification of the tourist circuit from Place “Ben Youssef” to Place “Jamaâ El Fna” via Place “Ben Saleh”, and that of the rehabilitation of the Foundouks. “Selhem”, “Ziyat”, and “Sidi Abdelaziz”.

A large number of residents, merchants and artisans of the old medina of Marrakech gathered throughout the route taken by HM the King, expressing their marks of fidelity and loyalty to the Sovereign and their deep gratitude to the August person of HM the King for this blessed visit.