The Agdal Gardens
Eight and a half centuries of history, hundreds of hectares of olive trees and a pool the size of a lake facing the Atlas: the Agdal impresses by its scale, not its landscaping. A royal garden, therefore restricted access - open only a few days a week, poorly signposted. For those who like history and open ground, not a pleasure garden.
History & context
The Agdal Gardens are the oldest in Marrakech. Around 1157, under the Almohad sultan Abd al-Mu’min, they were created south of the royal palace and the medina. The enclosing walls and the present shape, however, date from the 19th century.
The genius of the place is hydraulic: water, captured in the Ourika valley at the foot of the High Atlas, is brought by underground khettaras to great reservoirs. The most famous, the Sahraj el-Hana - the ‘pool of good health’ - served both to irrigate the orchards and as a training pool for the troops.
Across hundreds of walled hectares stretch olive, orange and pomegranate trees. A royal garden still in use, the Agdal opens to the public only on certain days.
Less a pleasure garden than a royal estate: you come for the scale, the water and the Atlas.
What to see - the highlights
The Sahraj el-Hana pool
A reservoir the size of a lake, the 'pool of good health', framed by the Dar al-Hana pavilion: it fed the orchards and served as a training pool for the troops.
The royal olive grove
Hundreds of hectares of olive, orange and pomegranate trees, walled in: a working farm as much as a garden.
Water from the Atlas
Water captured in the Ourika valley and brought by underground khettaras to the great pools: the hydraulic engineering that made the garden possible.
An Almohad garden
Created around 1157 under Sultan Abd al-Mu'min; the enclosing walls and its present shape date from the 19<sup>th</sup> century.
When to go
Sunset turns the Atlas pink behind the great pool.
A royal garden: open only on certain days, and closed when the royal family is in residence. Check before you come.
The snow-capped Atlas as a backdrop and gentle temperatures for walking.
Visitor tips
Late in the day, for the light on the Atlas.
Turning up without checking the opening: this is a royal garden with restricted access.
- Open only on certain days (often Friday and Sunday) and closed when the royal family is in residence: enquire before you set off.
- The site is huge and poorly signposted: head straight for the great Sahraj el-Hana pool, the main draw.
- No practical public transport: take a taxi from the centre.
Location & access
South of the medina, adjoining the royal palace and the Kasbah. A vast walled estate; the entrance is on the north side, by the palace. About ten minutes by taxi from the centre.
