Le Jardin Secret
Le Jardin Secret is opening its doors to the public for the first time in its history. The origins of the complex date back to the Saadian Dynasty, more than four hundred years ago.
Rebuilt in the mid-Nineteenth century at the behest of an influential kaid of the Atlas Mountains, Le Jardin Secret has been the home of some of Morocco and Marrakech’s most important political figures.
Today you are able to fully appreciate it, thanks to the recent renovation; Le Jardin Secret is part of the great tradition of stately Arab-Andalusian and Moroccan palaces. As a result visitors can discover its gardens and buildings, which are outstanding examples of Islamic art and architecture.
History
The origins of Le Jardin Secret hark back to the second half of the sixteenth century, when the Saadian Sultan Moulay ‘Abd-Allah commenced upon the urbanization of what is now the Mouassine district. However, in common with many important buildings of Marrakech, the palace, which stood on the grounds of Le Jardin Secret, was destroyed toward the end of the seventeenth century, after the decline of the Saadian dynasty. Towards the middle of the nineteenth century the kaid al-Hajj Abd-Allah U-Bihi came into possession of the land, on which, fully respecting the layout of the Saadian era complex, a new palace was built. Marrakech enjoyed a substantial development in this period, which favoured the construction of gardens and rich mansions. Shortly after, the kaid U-Bihi, who was viewed suspiciously by Sultan Muhammad IV because suspected of power intrigues, was killed with poisoned tea. The property then passed into the possession of the qadi Moulay Mustapha, a great judge who enjoyed close relations with the ruling family. In 1912, he exchanged the palace with the manor of Fez of al-Hajj Muhammad Loukrissi. The latter, the former head of the watchmakers’ guild in Marrakech, had been elected in 1908 as chamberlain of Sultan Moulay ‘Abd-al-Hafiz. When, in 1912, the Sultan was exiled, al-Hajj Muhammad Loukrissi moved into this palace, where he lived until 1934, the year of his death. The property then ceased to be maintained properly, and soon fell into a state of disrepair. The idea of restoring the building complex and opening it to public took root in 2008, and Le Jardin Secret came into being eight years later.
Architecture
Two distinct building complexes form Le Jardin Secret, each one conceived as a riad in and of itself. Enclosed by high walls without windows, the riad, with its rectangular layout, develops around a large garden. In the middle of the garden, divided into four flowerbeds by the intersection of two raised walkways, a marble basin has been erected. Pointed arch and wooden lintel porticoes usher you into the pavilions of Le Jardin Secret, which display exposed beams, double doors and windows that rise slightly higher than the ground. The importance of the building, first demonstrated by its large size, is underlined by the presence of a private hammam, the qubba and the tower: towering above the medina, the tower and the qubba served to symbolize its owner’s wealth and power. From a decorative point of view, Le Jardin Secret is characterized by the large presence of tadelakt, applied on brick and rammed earth walls. The zellij and the bejmat from Fez, the inlaid cedar wood, hand-carved stuccos and geometric designs made by master decorators showcase the outstanding skills of the local craftsmen.