The Saadian Tombs is the burial ground for 66 Saadians, including the founder of the dynasty, Sultan Ahmed el Mansour, the Golden One.
Unlike the El Badi Palace, Moulay Ismail chose not to destroy these tombs because he was apparently susperstitious about plundering the dead. So, here is one of the very few Saadian relics left in Morocco.
Moulay Ismail, however, did decide to seal the tombs up, leaving only a small section open for use. The complex was only rediscovered in 1917 by a General during the French protectorate.
The entrance to the tombs is hidden away next to a mosque
Unlike the El Badi Palace, Moulay Ismail chose not to destroy these tombs because he was apparently susperstitious about plundering the dead. So, here is one of the very few Saadian relics left in Morocco.
Moulay Ismail, however, did decide to seal the tombs up, leaving only a small section open for use. The complex was only rediscovered in 1917 by a General during the French protectorate.
The entrance to the tombs is hidden away next to a mosqueBrightly coloured zellij work on the wall. The pieces are aligned perfectly
The woodwork and stuccoes are equally amazing
The central mausoleum contains the tombs of Ahmed el Mansour and his family. It's dark (indoor), lavish, and ornate, with a stalactite dome supported by twelve gray columns in Italian Carrara marble . The work is incredible from floor to ceiling.
Then there are also the polylobate arches, friezes with verses from the Koran, geometric motifs, painted and gilded cedar wood, ajolica tiles and stucco.
The detailed work. It is really beautiful in person.
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