These tombs are from the 16th century, and were sealed up within a mosque and hidden by Marrakech’s expansion until 1917 when the detail of their decorative beauty was rediscovered – the standard of decoration and the tiling are often compared to the Alhambra. 66 members of the Saadi Dynasty have their tombs here, in three rooms, the largest and most famous lined with twelve lovely columns. The tombs have been made from Italian Carrara marble. El Mansour, the son of the founder of the dynasty was the one who had the tombs built, which is why his marble elongated pyramid has pride of place under the dome of the central chamber.

More than 100 servants and soldiers have been buried outside in the garden, but their graves are still well decorated in colourful tiling.

Written by  Esther Blume.

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