Day 5 – Tuesday May 4 – We leave for Marrakech after an early breakfast.

This trip is not for the faint hearted. It is like being in the army sometimes. However, there are only four of us with a private van on this trip in Morocco, so we have no one waiting for us if something happens and we run a little late.

It is 485 kilometers from Fez to Marrakech.

Marrakech was founded around 1062 by the almoravids on the plain south of the Tensift River. Marrakech is one of the four Imperial cities along with Meknes, Fez and Rabat.

It was the capital of the Almohad califate in the 12 century which included Spain and Africa.

Marrakech reached it’s zenith under the rule of the Saadians who captured it in 1549. They proceeded to enhance the beauty of the city while they had control of it.

However, the Alawite Sultans captured Marrakech in 1669. They moved court often, so Marrakech was no longer the capital.

The history of Marrakech involves numerous ups and downs throughout history. There have been repeated political struggles, military upheavals, famines and plagues.

It was rebuilt in the 19th century and then captured by the French in 1912. It then became part of the French Protectorate of Morocco.

There is much more to tell, but I don’t want to take up too much of your time. All of the information is at hand on your computer of course, if you are interested.

I usually do my research when I arrive home from a vacation for some odd reason.

Right now, I am back in Morocco, 8 years later, thanks to this blog. I don’t even have any shoes on right now.