Zaouia El Abassia the historical neighbourhood of our Boutique Riad Hotel - Riad Zamzam
Our riad is pretty special - it was an old fortune tellers house and a Gnawa House. So our Gnawa riad is also in the most spiritual quarter of the Medina, the area of Sidi Bel Abbess. Sir Bel Abbess is the most famous saint of the 7 saints of Marrakesh. former teacher he was completely devoted to islam, he helped the beggars and the blind people and they are still helped today.
While the medersa (Koranic school) and the mosque date to 1605, the fountain and the zaouia (shrine) and mosque are older. The facade of the fountain of sidi Bel abbes is covered with stucco and zellij it is worth a visit and is also on the route from Riad Zamzam to the centre of the Medina and the souks. You will then walk through Bab Tagherzout, here you will find wonderful street food and also the only road running through the middle of the Medina where cars can pass. It is a big taxi drop off point too because of this and there is a wonderful restaurant there called I Limoni, just 5 minutes walk for Riad Zamzam.
The Zaouia of of Sidi Bel Abbes is the largest in the Medina. Born in Sebta (Ceuta) in 1145 Sidi Bel Abbes came to Marrakech as a young man having pursued religious studies from an early age. He settled in a cave on a hill near a source of water and became a hermit. He lived there for 40 years without ever entering the city but became famous as a preacher. Sultan Yacoub El Mansour persuaded him to move into the city and provided him with a house and a madrassa where he could teach. He cared for the poor especially the crippled and the blind and the Zaouia carries on the work today. Sidi Bel Abbes died in 1205. The Zaouia of Sidi Bel Abbes is located 100m north of the Bab Taghzout. Non muslims cannot enter but it is possible to catch glimpses of the large complex and its mosque.
While the medersa (Koranic school) and the mosque date to 1605, the fountain and the zaouia (shrine) and mosque are older. The facade of the fountain of sidi Bel abbes is covered with stucco and zellij it is worth a visit and is also on the route from Riad Zamzam to the centre of the Medina and the souks. You will then walk through Bab Tagherzout, here you will find wonderful street food and also the only road running through the middle of the Medina where cars can pass. It is a big taxi drop off point too because of this and there is a wonderful restaurant there called I Limoni, just 5 minutes walk for Riad Zamzam.
The Zaouia of of Sidi Bel Abbes is the largest in the Medina. Born in Sebta (Ceuta) in 1145 Sidi Bel Abbes came to Marrakech as a young man having pursued religious studies from an early age. He settled in a cave on a hill near a source of water and became a hermit. He lived there for 40 years without ever entering the city but became famous as a preacher. Sultan Yacoub El Mansour persuaded him to move into the city and provided him with a house and a madrassa where he could teach. He cared for the poor especially the crippled and the blind and the Zaouia carries on the work today. Sidi Bel Abbes died in 1205. The Zaouia of Sidi Bel Abbes is located 100m north of the Bab Taghzout. Non muslims cannot enter but it is possible to catch glimpses of the large complex and its mosque.
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