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How much have you heard of Jamaa El-fna, the most famous square in Marrakech? Reading on forums and blogs, looking at photos and videos you have surely felt that mix of euphoria and fear in having to cross this place that seems the place where all the madness of the world is concentrated.
Want to know what to expect from this square of Marrakech? Here’s something to start dreaming…
The square of Jemaa El-Fna is the point from which the entire Medina of Marrakech winds, it was designed during the time of the Sadiana dynasty and should have been the place that would have hosted a great mosque.
The square is guarded by the large one The great mosque Koutoubia is watching over the square, from which, 5 times a day, starts the muezzin that reminds the faithful of the time of prayer but… Don’t think that everything stops: the square continues to be crowded with people who run, sing, dance, sell lanterns and ask for a tip.
Jemaa El-Fna, borders the tangled ball of the Souk.
Probably if your Riad is inside the Medina you will have to go first to the Souk and the Spice Square and only then you will arrive at the Jemaa El-Fnaa Square, which will be the place where you will probably take one of the Taxis for the first time.
WHAT YOU WILL FIND IN THE MORNING IN JEMAA-EL-FNA
In the morning the square is rather bare but you will have fun photographing the snake charmers, maybe you will be persuaded to make a hennè tattoo by one of those girls sitting on those simple cassettes. Perhaps you will still be incredulous when one of the monkey trainersapproaches, proposing to take a picture of you with one of those he carries with him with a chain as a leash.
When it gets too low try one of the orange juice carts and then you could ask the future to one of the fortune tellers.
WHAT YOU WILL FIND IN THE AFTERNOON JEMAA-EL-FNA
At lunchtime, the square is crowded and inundated by the smell of food cooked and sold on the stalls as the storytellers, Berber dancers and magicians begin to arrive. The show officially begins, Jemaa-El-Fna becomes an open-air stage and the air is filled with dust and magic.
WHAT YOU WILL FIND IN THE EVENING IN JEMAA-EL-FNA
When at sunset, the blue and the orange begin to merge, while lights and lanterns light up, begins the swirl of voices, of music, clapping of hands, the sound of drums, the smell of mint tea more and more intense, quick exchanges of “Salam” and “Sukran” “afwan” quickly.
Do you know what you absolutely must do at sunset in Jemaa-El-Fna square? Something touristy but indispensable, that is to climb on one of the terraces of the cafes of the square and enjoy the sun that comes down as the river of people continues to pour incessantly in this disrespectful square.
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