Medina of Marrakesh


World Heritage Identification Number: 331

World Heritage since: 1985

Category: Cultural Heritage

Transboundary Heritage: No

Endangered Heritage: No

Country: 🇲🇦 Morocco

Continent: Africa

UNESCO World Region: Arab States

Map

The Medina of Marrakesh: A Cultural and Historical Gem of Morocco

The Medina of Marrakesh, located in the heart of Morocco's fourth-largest city, is a testament to the rich history and cultural diversity of the region. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985, this ancient walled city offers visitors a unique glimpse into the past, showcasing a blend of Islamic, Berber, and European architectural influences.

More to come…

UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site

Founded in 1070–72 by the Almoravids, Marrakesh remained a political, economic and cultural centre for a long period. Its influence was felt throughout the western Muslim world, from North Africa to Andalusia. It has several impressive monuments dating from that period: the Koutoubiya Mosque, the Kasbah, the battlements, monumental doors, gardens, etc. Later architectural jewels include the Bandiâ Palace, the Ben Youssef Madrasa, the Saadian Tombs, several great residences and Place Jamaâ El Fna, a veritable open-air theatre.

Encyclopedia Record: Marrakesh

Marrakesh or Marrakech is the fourth-largest city in Morocco. It is one of the four imperial cities of Morocco and is the capital of the Marrakesh-Safi region. The city lies west of the foothills of the Atlas Mountains.

Read more on Wikipedia

Additional Site Details

Area: 1,107 hectares

UNESCO Criteria: (i) — Masterpiece of human creative genius
(ii) — Significant interchange of human values
(iv) — Outstanding example of a type of building or landscape
(v) — Outstanding example of traditional human settlement

Coordinates: 31.63139 , -7.98667

Image

Image of Medina of Marrakesh

© Donar Reiskoffer, CC BY 3.0 Resized from original.

About World Heritage Explorer

World Heritage Explorer is an independent educational project designed to uncover and share the richness of our world’s cultural and natural heritage. Dive into detailed site profiles, immersive imagery, interactive maps, and tools that help you explore UNESCO World Heritage Sites across the globe. Drawing extensively on open data sources, the project delivers authoritative, well-structured information for learners, educators, travelers, and younger explorers alike.

Learn more

Nearby World Heritage Sites

Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou
104 km — Morocco
Medina of Essaouira (formerly Mogador)
169 km — Morocco
Portuguese City of Mazagan (El Jadida)
187 km — Morocco
Rabat, Modern Capital and Historic City: a Shared Heritage
287 km — Morocco
Historic City of Meknes
338 km — Morocco

Country Information: Morocco

Flag of Morocco

Official Name: Kingdom of Morocco

Capital: Rabat

Continent: Africa

Population (2024): 38,081,173

Population (2023): 37,712,505

Population (2022): 37,329,064

Land Area: 446,300 sq km

Currency: Moroccan dirham (MAD)

Country Data Sources

Last updated: January 18, 2026

Portions of the page Medina of Marrakesh are based on data from UNESCO — World Heritage List Dataset and on text from the Wikipedia article Marrakesh, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Changes made. Additional original content by World Heritage Explorer (WHE), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. WHE is not affiliated with UNESCO or the World Heritage Committee. Legal Notice. Privacy Policy.

Open Data for an Open World