El Badi Palace

Commissioned by the Saadian Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur in 1578, El Badi Palace was built to celebrate the victory over the Portuguese at the Battle of the Three Kings. Funded by the enormous ransom paid by the Portuguese, the palace was intended to be the most magnificent in the world, earning the name 'The Incomparable.' It was constructed using the most luxurious materials of the era, including gold from Sudan and marble from Italy, which was reportedly traded weight-for-weight with sugar. For over 75 years, the palace stood as the center of Saadian power and a masterpiece of Islamic architecture. Its vast central courtyard featured a massive reflecting pool and four sunken gardens filled with orange trees, creating an oasis of luxury in the heart of Marrakech. The complex housed 360 rooms, many of which were decorated with intricate mosaics, carved cedar wood, and gilded ceilings that dazzled visiting diplomats and dignitaries. However, the grandeur of El Badi was short-lived. Following the rise of the Alaouite dynasty in the late 17th century, Sultan Moulay Ismail decided to move the capital to Meknes. He ordered the systematic stripping of the palace, spending twelve years removing its precious marbles, gold, and wood to adorn his own constructions. Today, the majestic sandstone ruins and the labyrinthine subterranean passages are all that remain, serving as a poignant reminder of Morocco's golden age.