Agdal Gardens

The Agdal Gardens of Marrakech are the oldest surviving park this Moroccan city. Since 1985, they stand together with the historic center of Marrakech and the Menara Garden on the list of World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

History

The gardens were created in 1157 under the Almohad ruler Idris I. al - Ma'mun, its architect is probably al - Hajj Yaisch (al- Ya ʿ Ḥāǧǧ IS) from the tribe of Gedmiwa. The garden covers 500 ha and was almost as big as itself Marrakech

The first trees were planted in the 12th century, demonstrated are olive trees, oranges, grapes, apricots and fragrant flowers. The orange groves were the pool the next, they were followed by olive trees, the Wingert, pomegranates, figs, palms, walnuts and almonds.

In the basins of the Almohad soldiers learned to swim before they crossed the Mediterranean to al -Andalus; Receptions were held here.

After the collection of Fez city of residence of the Agdal was neglected. The Saadian (1517-1659) put a Agdal in which Raud al - Masarra said. He was probably on the grounds of the Dar al -Hana ( Dār al -Hana ʾ ) and had a fountain. It contained pomegranates, olives, lemons, grapes and palm trees. The garden paths were bordered with myrtle, rose, jasmine, black elderberry, evergreen trees and wild roses. This garden has also been described by European travelers such as Thomas le Gendre and Adriaan Matham. The latter mentioned 26,000 olive trees.

After the end of the Saadian dynasty, the residence was moved to Meknes and the garden fell into disrepair again. Local tribes initiated the irrigation canals. In the silted basin bahr al - asghar ( al -Bahr al - ʾ Asgar ) had emerged a small village. 1828/29 started Mulai Abd ar -Rahman, the garden to restore a project that resulted in further his successor. 1834 the inhabitants of al - bahr al - asghar were expelled and the sand removed. Now again grew olive trees, pomegranates, apples, wine, almonds, walnuts, figs and oranges in the garden. On the water tank upside boats. In the outer ( Barrani ) Agdal workshops where sugar and gunpowder were produced were. The actual pleasure gardens were in the center of the complex.

The present form of the park and the surrounding walls date from the 19th century.

Construction

Today, the Agdal Gardens extend, with scattered pavilions at several kilometers south of the Royal Palace. In the south they touch the area around the palace Dar al - Machzan ( Dār al - Maḫzan ).

The garden contains three ponds, the largest is that of the Dar al -Hana. It is 220 meters long and can accommodate 200000m3 water. The water comes from the Aghmat about 30 km away in the Atlas Mountains. It is housed in a Tasoultant called open channel after the Wadi Ourika. Even water from the khettaras and rainwater fed the pool .. In the pool big carp live. On the banks of the largest water basin as- Sala stands the Palace of Dar al -Hana, of whose panoramic terrace, the peaks of the High Atlas are visible.

Planting

In the garden grow pomegranate, orange and olive trees. The gardens have a more diverse vegetation than the Menara Garden.

Public

Parts of the gardens are open to the public on Fridays and Sundays.