BAB AGNAOU
Go there and contact
Bab Agnaou or "Gate of the Ram", the most impressive in the Marrakech medina, perfect for a stroll or a ride in a horse-drawn carriage
Resting on a long wall that delimits the citadel from the kasbah, Bab Agnaou is undoubtedly the city's most grandiose gateway. Contemporary with the Koutoubia, this finely sculpted gateway in grey-blue sandstone from Djebel Guéliz is the national jewel of 12th-century Almohad art. It features a superimposition of 4 different arches, with subtle, highly refined floral decorations. The panels are engraved with verses from the Koran in kufic script, one of the oldest forms of highly geometric Arabic calligraphy, which lends itself perfectly to the decorative arts. Above the door, a verse from the Koran is also engraved. The gate's function was more decorative than defensive, that role being fulfilled by the neighboring Bab er-Robb gate, which kept watch over the road leading to the Ourika valley. Bab Agnaou is thought to mean the "Gate of the Hornless Ram", but its name remains a mystery. One version is that the gate was once framed by two towers, forming an elbow-shaped passageway designed to keep out assailants. The second version is that Agnaou means "Black People" in Berber (like Gnaoua), as it was the gateway for dark-skinned desert peoples. Don't miss this masterpiece, either on foot or in a horse-drawn carriage. And if it's winter, keep your eyes peeled for the nesting storks.
Did you know? This review was written by our professional authors.
Book the Best Activities with Get Your Guide
Members' reviews on BAB AGNAOU
The ratings and reviews below reflect the subjective opinions of members and not the opinion of The Little Witty.
Find unique holiday offers with our partners
