Exploring the Best Places to See Authentic Moroccan Tiles Zelliges in Morocco
Morocco is a country known for its rich culture, history, and architecture. One of the most distinctive and beautiful features of Moroccan architecture is the use of zellige tilework, which is a traditional form of mosaic made from individually cut and assembled geometric tiles. Zellige tilework is found throughout Morocco, and it can be seen in some of the country's most iconic buildings and monuments. In this guide, we'll take a closer look at the best places in Morocco where you can see zellige tilework, city by city, and monument by monument.
A Guide to Exploring the Best Places to Find Moroccan Zellige Tiles in Marrakech
Marrakech is a city in western Morocco that's known for its bustling markets, vibrant culture, and stunning architecture. The city is home to several notable buildings and monuments that feature beautiful zellige tilework, including:
Explore Ben Youssef Madrasa
The Ben Youssef Madrasa is a 14th-century Islamic school that's located in the heart of the Marrakech medina. The madrasa features stunning zellige tilework on its walls, floors, and ceilings, which is intricately designed and features a range of colors, including blue, green, and yellow. The Ben Youssef Madrasa is one of the best places in Marrakech to see zellige tilework, and it's also an important example of Islamic architecture.
Explore Bahia Palace
Photo by Abhishek Choudhary on Unsplash
The Bahia Palace is a 19th-century palace that's located in the Marrakech medina. The palace features stunning Moroccan tile on its walls, floors, and ceilings, which is intricately designed and features a range of colors, including blue, green, and yellow. The Bahia Palace is one of the best places in Marrakech to see zellige tilework, and it's also a great place to learn more about Moroccan history and culture.
Explore El Badi Palace
El Badi Palace is a 16th-century palace that's located in the heart of Marrakech. The palace was once a grand complex with a pool, gardens, and a mosque, but today only the ruins remain. The ruins are covered with beautiful zellige tilework that features intricate geometric patterns and a range of colors. El Badi Palace is one of the best places in Marrakech to see Moroccan Tile, and it's also an important example of Moroccan history and culture.
Explore Secret Garden
The Secret Garden is a tranquil oasis located in the heart of the Marrakech medina. The garden features lush greenery, fountains, and beautiful zellige tilework that covers the walls and floors. The tilework features intricate patterns and a range of colors, including blue, green, and yellow. The Secret Garden is one of the best places in Marrakech to see zellige tilework, and it's also a great place to relax and escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
Explore Dar Bacha
Dar Bacha is a 19th-century palace that's located in the Marrakech medina. The palace features beautiful zellige tilework on its walls and ceilings, which is intricately designed and features a range of colors, including blue, green, and white. The palace also features a courtyard with a pool and gardens, which are a great place to relax and take in the beauty of the zellige tilework. Dar Bacha is one of the best places in Marrakech to see Moroccan tile, and it's also a great place to learn more about Moroccan history and culture.
A Guide to Exploring the Best Places to Find Moroccan Zellige Tiles in Fez
Fes is a city in central Morocco that's known for its historic medina, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The medina is home to several notable buildings and monuments that feature stunning Moroccan tiles, including:
Visit Bou Inania Madrasa
The Bou Inania Madrasa is a 14th-century Islamic school that features stunning zellige tilework on its walls, floors, and ceilings. The tilework is intricately designed and features a range of colors, including blue, green, and yellow. The madrasa is one of the best places in Fes to see zellige tilework, and it's also an important example of Islamic architecture.
Visit Palais El Mokri
Palais El Mokri is a 19th-century palace that's located in the heart of Fes. The palace features beautiful zellige tilework on its walls, floors, and ceilings, which is intricately designed and features a range of colors, including blue, green, and white. The palace is not open to the public but can be seen from the outside. The Moroccan Zellij Tiles on the palace is a great example of traditional Moroccan craftsmanship and is a must-see for anyone interested in Moroccan architecture.
Visit Al-Attarine Madrasa
The Al-Attarine Madrasa is a 14th-century Islamic school that features stunning zellige tilework on its walls, floors, and ceilings. The tilework is intricately designed and features a range of colors, including blue, green, and yellow. The madrasa is one of the best places in Fes to see zellige tilework, and it's also an important example of Islamic architecture.
Visit Royal Palace doors
The Royal Palace in Fes is home to several impressive doors that feature stunning zellige tilework. The doors are not open to the public but can be seen from the outside. The zellige Moroccan tiles on the doors is intricately designed and features a range of colors, including blue, green, and white. The Royal Palace doors are a great example of traditional Moroccan craftsmanship and are a must-see for anyone interested in zellige tilework.
Casablanca is the largest city in Morocco and is known for its modern architecture and vibrant atmosphere. While it's not as famous for its zellige tilework as some other cities in Morocco, there are still some notable places to see it. Here are a few options:
A Guide to Exploring the Best Places to Find Moroccan Zellige Tiles in Casablanca
Visit Hassan II Mosque
The Hassan II Mosque is one of the most famous landmarks in Casablanca and is also one of the largest mosques in the world. The mosque features stunning zellige tilework on its walls and floors, which is intricately designed and features a range of colors, including blue, green, and white. The zellige tilework in the mosque is a great example of traditional Moroccan craftsmanship and is a must-see for anyone visiting Casablanca.
A Guide to Exploring the Best Places to Find Moroccan Zellige Tiles in Essaouira
Riad Salut Maroc
Riad Salut Maroc is a stunning guesthouse located in the heart of Essaouira's medina. The riad features beautiful Moroccan tiles on its floors and walls, which are intricately designed and feature a range of colors, including blue, green, and white. The tilework in Riad Salut Maroc is a great example of traditional Moroccan craftsmanship and is a must-see for anyone interested in Moroccan architecture.
