Exploring the Secret Garden of Marrakech

For the first time in its history, the Secret Garden is opening its doors to the public. After 400 years of existence and a recent restoration, this charming complex in the heart of the Medina offers you the chance to unveil all the beauty of Islamic art and architecture. An invitation to discover the great tradition of Arab-Andalusian and Moroccan palaces.

The origins of this riad (one of the oldest in the Medina of Marrakech) dates back to the second half of the 16th century. The Saadian Sultan Moulay Abdallah had it built at the time of the urbanization of the district (now Mouassine). But when the time came for the Saadian decline less than a century later, the palace was destroyed.

It was not until the middle of the 19th century that the place resurfaced. The caïd al-Hajj Abd-Allah U-bihi then took possession of his new riad, while ensuring that the reconstruction followed the same route as the original palace.

When the king was poisoned by Sultan Muhammad IV, around 1875, the riad passed into the hands of qadi Moulay Mustapha and was then inhabited by Chamberlain al-Hajj Muhammad Loukrissi, head of the Marrakech watchmakers' guild. When the latter died in 1934, the riad was no longer maintained and quickly fell into ruins.

In 2008, the idea of restoring this place to its former glory was finally born. In 2016, it was completed! Nearly 50 million dirhams have been invested and about a hundred workers have mobilized to carry out the restoration. The old structures were rehabilitated before the Secret Garden was finally ready to be built so that art and history lovers could come and admire it as soon as possible.

First of all, you will have a great time walking around the two magnificent gardens, whose replanting is the work of Tom Stuart-Smith. 

In the first, the landscape gardener has chosen to respect the attributes of the Islamic garden: it then presents itself as a metaphor for paradise: a sacred place with strict geometric rules, where the Muslim order prevails over the disorder of wild nature. 

As for the second, the artist has given himself more freedom to create an exotic garden, adorned with superb plants from all over the world. 

But your visit will also be that of a vast palace of considerable dimensions. You can pleasantly linger on the beauties of local craftsmanship that testify to exceptional know-how: use of tadelakt, zellij and bejmat from Fez, inlaid cedar wood, hand-carved plasterwork, geometric paintings... To understand in more detail all the techniques used by the master decorators, contact a guide who will be delighted to give you a guided tour.

Finally, if you are over 6 years old, do not hesitate to climb to the top of the 17-metre high tower to admire the panoramic view that extends to the Atlas Mountains. On this subject, you can learn how the Atlas waters were transported to the riad thanks to an ingenious hydraulic system that irrigates the gardens, supplies the kitchens, the hammam and the fountains. Bring a hat because the Sun is strong!

But for the youngest among you and for all those who are easily afraid of heights, rest assured: the terrace already offers you a very beautiful view from which you can enjoy a mint tea, while savouring homemade cupcakes. Also take the time to browse the exhibitions that are available to you.