Medersa Ben Youssef the great school of Marrakech
The Medersa Ben Youssef is one of the greatest and most beautiful emblems of Arab-Andalusian art and architecture in Morocco. Founded by Sultan Abou al Hasan in the 14th century, it was later rebuilt and enriched by the Saadid dynasty, which brought even more splendor to this monument located next to the Ben Youssef Mosque in Marrakech. Now a museum, the medersa has 130 cells to house the nearly 900 students who learned the Koran and other scientific and religious subjects here. It is a highly recommended visit if you want to understand the Arab culture and the Muslim religion.
What is a medersa or madrasa?
In Arabic culture, a medersa or madrasa is simply a school. Although the term is applied to all types of educational institutions, both religious and secular, in the West it is used primarily to refer to Islamic schools. A typical Arab religious school usually offers two types of instruction: the Hafiz, which consists of memorizing the Koran, and the Ulema, which includes advanced courses in foreign language, science and history. In the early days of Islam there were no madrasahs and the oldest, the Qarawiyyin Madrasah in Fez, dates back to 859.
The Medersa Ben Youssef, the great disseminator of knowledge
The Medersa or Madrasa of Ben Youssef was the most important center for the dissemination of knowledge in Marrakech and the largest in Morocco. The school functioned for almost five centuries, until it ceased to function in 1960. Since then, it suffered neglect and oblivion, until 1982, when it was reopened to the public to make known this magnificent and important historical site.
Above the entrance door of the Medersa Ben Youssef there is an inscription that reads: “I have been built for the sciences and prayer by the Prince of the Believers, descendant of the prophets, Abdellah, the most glorious of the caliphs. Pray for him, you who cross my door, that his highest hopes may be granted.”
It is also possible to observe in the medersa the inscription of the year in which it was completed (1565), which allows attributing to the Saadian sultan Abdellah El Ghalib the school that supplanted the original building. And the name chosen for it was a tribute to Ali Ben Youssef, son and successor of the founder of the city of Marrakech, Youssef Ben Tachfine.
What to see at the Medersa Ben Youssef
The Medersa is a must on your trip to Marrakech Medersa Ben Youssef because we are facing a real jewel of Moroccan architecture, with magnificent marble sculptures and mosaics, more than 400 years old.
You are sure to be fascinated by the exuberant prayer room and its curious decoration based on plant motifs. Also impressive is its inner courtyard, with its central pool that adds freshness to the atmosphere. And all this in contrast to the austerity of what were once the students’ cells.
Fun fact: the incredible interiors of the Medersa Ben Youssef served as a set for some scenes of the film Julia’s Journey, directed by Gilles MacKinnon and starring Kate Winslet.
If you go to see the Medersa Ben Youssef, you can not miss the mosque of the same name, which is located next door. It dates from the 12th century and has a minaret that rises from the ground more than 40 meters.
And, along with the Medersa and the Ben Youssef Mosque, there are other tourist attractions for you to enjoy on your trip to Marrakech. They are the souk, the Jemaa el Fna Square, the Dar Si Said Museum, the Koutoubia Mosque and the Museum of Marrakech.
