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The history of this region can be seen in the Berber villages, which haven't seemed to change much since ancient times. These villages of Berbers are people who have been in the area for thousands of years, but have an unknown origin, though some speculate they might trace back to Caucasus. In the Roman era, the "men of Earth" began to rise up against the Maruitanian Throne, whose borders reached the Mediterranean Sea. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the then village began to grow and expand, and fought with Spanish troops in the name of Islam and defenders of orthodox beliefs. This is without doubt a theme which resounded in the Berber population, who also became protagonists in their own battles over the past centuries.
During the middle ages, various dynasties, such as the Almoravides, made their mark on Marrakech, decorating it in beautiful architecture and tiles, thanks to the advances in infrastructure of the time.
The Almohades built the famous Koutubia, the twin mosque to the Giralda of Seville. For centuries they were very rich, and wealth prospered throughout the land under Califato Omeya in the 7th century, in which some of the richest and most advanced culture came about in all of their history. After the 8th century, there was a split in beliefs between califs, and the Calif and his admirers conquered Spain where they created Al Andalus that flourished until the reconquering of Spain by the Christians in the 15th Century. During Al Andalus, its history turned bloody with the confrontations between muslims and christians, in what was called "jihad" or holy war for the muslims, of which was answered in turn by the christians in the form of the Spanish Inquisition and the Crusades.
After the 19th century, Marrakech saw the French colonization of Morocco. This is when urban transport, banks, and commerce came to Marrakech, such as European style hotels, one being the famous Hotel Mamounia.
After the departure of the French in 1956 and independence from France, the monarchy that exists today was established in 1957 with the crowning to the sultan and King Muhammad Ben Yusuf. The crown and kingdom was passed to his son, Hassan II in 1961, and again in 1999 by the king's own son and the current king, Muhammad VI, who has brought about new infrastructure and more democracy to the country.
The actual population of Morocco contrasts greatly with most tourists that come to visit to places such as Marrakech during their holiday. |
