Search
  • Home
  • Travel & Adventure
  • Travel Tips
  • Art & Artists
  • People & Culture
  • History & Discovery
  • City Guides
  • About
  • Contact
Close
Menu
Search
Close
  • Home
  • Travel & Adventure
  • Travel Tips
  • Art & Artists
  • People & Culture
  • History & Discovery
  • City Guides
  • About
  • Contact
Menu

The Anthrotorian

January 15, 2015

Photos That Will Make You Want To Visit Djemaa el-Fna (a UNESCO World Heritage Site!) in Marrakesh

by Lindsay Shapka in In Photos, Travel, Travel Adventures


I had heard that Djemaa el-Fna, the gigantic main square in Marrakesh, was an open-air theatre full of action, entertainment and general hoopla, but words can not describe what was waiting for me when I wandered there one night as the sun was setting.

The chaos has been non-stop since the square was the site of public executions in AD 1050 (the name means "assembly of the dead"). It is such an incredible collision of Moroccan culture that Unesco declared it a "Masterpiece of World Heritage" in 2001. 

Camera at the ready and all senses on alert, I walked past snake charmers right out of an Indiana Jones flick blasting oboes to calm hissing cobras, fully veiled female henna tattoo artists would suddenly appear beside pulling me towards their stools and monkeys on leashes that sat obediently next to the feet of their owners.

Stalls piled high with figs and oranges were lit by hanging lights and seemingly out of nowhere, benches, tables and cook-tops appeared where chefs were prepping fragrant traditional meals that would break the Ramadan fast for the day. (Apparently what I saw was tame compared to what occurs outside of the month of Ramadan!)

IMG_1412.JPG
IMG_1424.jpg
the bestcookieever-33.jpg
IMG_1438.jpg
IMG_1434.jpg
IMG_1444.jpg

I climbed a steep flight of stairs up to a rooftop patio above the craze of zooming vespas, bicycles, careening taxis and horse drawn carriages while the call to prayer echoed across the square — just in time to watch the sun disappear behind the tower of the mosque. The perfect spot to enjoy the show!

Related Posts

  • 10 Tips for Women Traveling to Morocco

  • 7 Things You Must Eat in Morocco

  • Photos That Will Make You Want to Visit Djemaa el-Fina in Marrakesh

  • Camel Trekking in The Sahara

  • Exploring The Ancient Moroccan City of Air Benhaddou

Read More Travel Posts

About Lindsay Shapka The Anthrotorian

Subscribe to The Anthrotorian's Newsletter!

You're almost done! Check your email to confirm your subscription.

Thanks for signing up!


Travel & Adventure Blog Feed
Jasper National Park Lakes.png
Carry-on baggage rules for Canada.png
Travel quotes to inspire your summer.jpg

TAGS: Marrakesh, Morocco, Djemaa el-Fna, travel, adventure, monkey, snake, market, Ramadan, UNESCO, must-see Morocco, Marrakesh attractions, tourist attractions to see in Morocco, the best of Morocco, travel5


Nothing feels better than this lake after a long hike. 

#glaciallakeswims
#jaspernationalpark
Still one of the most spectacular day hikes in Jasper! Swipe to see my backcountry animal encounter.

(Note: I NEVER approach wild animals. These were on the trail and I was very careful and respectful and walked quickly past them. Took the photo whi
Jasper, you may look a little different now, but you are still home. 

#jaspernationalpark 
#jasperalberta 
#mymountains
Summmerrrrr timmmmeeeee is my favouriteeee timeeeeeee

#moresummer 
#allthesunshine 
#blueskiesfordays
#alltheflowers
It’s a beautiful week for Fringe-ing! What are you going to see? 

Swipe to the second image for my recommendation. A Cabaret of Legends was spectacular! 

@edmontonfringe 

#fringefestivalyeg
Oh, you know, just picking flowers on a sunny Saturday. 

📍Fern’s Flower Garden 

#alltheflowers #poppies
Gloomy skies, but Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump is still an incredible sight.
I can’t tell if the view is more breathtaking from inside or outside. What do you think? 

📍 Waterton Lakes National Park 

#explorewaterton
Did I do a cannonball off the end of this dock into this glacier fed lake after my hike? Yes. 

Was it so cold I almost stopped breathing? Also yes. 

Would I do it again? ABSOLUTELY. 

#alwaysjumpinthelake

About    
Contact 
Archive    
Press + Publications 

Paris Travel
Book Reviews
Travel Quotes

Explore the world with me — subscribe to The Anthrotoran’s newsletter!

The Anthrotorian will use the information you provide on this form to be in touch with you through monthly email newsletters. Clicking “Subscribe” allows us to send you these emails. You can change your mind at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the footer of any email you receive from us, or by contacting us at TheAnthrotorian@gmail.com. We will treat your information with respect.

Thank you!

Copyright © 2012–2025 The Anthrotorian. All rights reserved. Do not use or reproduce without permission.