Marrakech’s Main Square, Jemma el- Fna is one of the busiest main squares in the world and waits for no man to catch up with its super sonic speed.
Mopeds whizz past you, snake charmers do their best to hypnotise you, food stall owners tempt you, leather stall owners have you smelling like the corpse of a cow, everything about this place will send your head in the clouds – for better or for worse. Jemma el-Fna is an explosion of your senses; your sight, hearing, taste and smell will be spun into overdrive after just one encounter with perhaps what is the world’s most famous square.
- Jemaa El Fna at night
Although the photographs I took detail just how busy and food orientated the Square is, it is impossible to replicate the noise, smell and taste of this place without experiencing it for yourself. The smell of Jasmine, the dusty red walls and beautiful mosiacs, the sound of street performers and traditional tradesmen calling for your attention – it is simply impossible to mistake being in Jemmaa El Fna for anywhere else in the world. This distinct culture ensured its inscription into UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1985.
Food markets in Jemaa El-Fna competing for your attention!
Jemma el Fna – A World Heritage Site for culture.
Marrakech really is a ‘go with the flow’ kind of place but I’ve got just one piece of advise – like any Muslim country you should dress accordingly. I thought I had packed appropriate clothing, but I found that even though my dresses were long in length, they still weren’t long enough! As a result, I wore the same jeans and T-shirt I wore for the airport pretty much throughout the whole of my time in Marrakech! So ladies… learn from my mistake and wear something loose and modest!
For more information on where to stay and go in Marrakech, read this earlier post.
Robert Geiss
June 19, 2012 at 9:52 pmThank you very much for this adventure into a different world.
Your Photography is wonderful.
Please have a good Wednesday.
rheina ariesta
June 20, 2012 at 4:23 amnice place, and so many people, exactly where it was.
visit back my blog all about papercraft
http://creationpapercraft.blogspot.com/
J
June 20, 2012 at 2:19 pmThe first photo is great!
Jana
Blog Me Travel
July 2, 2012 at 8:11 pmHello Si! It was a case of actions speak louder than words… On the first night of arrival I went to the Square, and a young girl wearing a relatively short skirt was being chased and hounded by a large group of boys so I decided that wearing jeans was the best thing to avoid provoking the same reaction.
Si Barber
July 2, 2012 at 8:11 pmWhat made you realise you might have brought inappropriate clothes – did you note what other women were wearing, or did someone tell you?
Blog Me Travel
July 2, 2012 at 8:11 pmYep, many, many people! Inside the souks and main square you’re like a sardine in a can of tomato juice!
Blog Me Travel
July 2, 2012 at 8:11 pmThanks, there’s an abundance of photo opportunities in Marrakech!
Blog Me Travel
July 2, 2012 at 8:11 pmThank you Robert, I love looking at your photography, giving me an insight into Athens!
Rachel Lauder
July 8, 2012 at 8:08 pmGreat photos! I love the first one – very striking! I went to Jemaa el-Fna during Ramadan so there was a much slower pace than your visit by the looks…but still was rather manic!!