If you want to see the historic character of Marrakech, then go explore Ben Youssef Madrasa. It is a great place to observe the phenomenal Islamic art that can be found within Marrakech. This old Islamic school is a must-see within the medina.
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Madrasah, madarasaa, medresa, madrassa, madraza, madarsa, medrese different spellings and different pronunciations! But all means the same - Arabic word for any type of educational institution, whether secular or religious. Madarsa is an Islamic educational institution which teaches students to become a scholar. Many who study in Madarsa end up as imams. The madrasa also resemble colleges, where people take evening classes and reside in dormitories. An important function of the madrasa is to admit orphans and poor children in order to provide them with education and training. Madrasa may enrol female students; however, they study separately from the men. One such Madarsa is found in Bidar, a small town in Karnataka. Although it is in ruins now, one can imagine how spectacular this structure would have been hundreds of years ago. It is called Mahmud Gawan Madrasa. It is called so because it was built by a noble man called Mahmud Gawan in 1478. Presently the southeast part of this wonderful monument has collapsed and what is remaining is still remarkable. This is a wonderful example of Bahmanid architecture. The plan consists of a quadrangle with halls and chambers on the sides. On three sides there are semi-octagonal projections crowned by bulbous domes while on the other side there is the entrance flanked by two minars. The facade is covered of coloured tiles of various designs in a Persian style. This Madrasa was struck by lightning in 1696 and caused considerable damage to the structure. If we could preserve what is remaining of this Madarsa in good condition, it is still a worthwhile proposition as this wonderful architecture can never be replicated!
was an Islamic college in Marrakech and was named after the amoravid sultan Ali ibn Yusuf (reigned 1106–1142), who expanded the city and its influence considerably. The college was founded during the period of the Marinid (14th century) by the Marinid sultan Abu al-Hassan and allied to the neighbouring Ben Youssef Mosque. The building of the madrasa was re-constructed by the Saadian Sultan Abdallah al-Ghalib (1557–1574). It is the largest Medrasa in all of Morocco. In 1565 the works ordered by Abdallah al-Ghalib were finished, as confirmed by the inscription in the prayer room. Its 130 student dormitory cells cluster around a courtyard richly carved in cedar, marble and stucco. The carvings contain no representation of humans or animals as required by Islam, and consist entirely of inscriptions and geometric patterns. This madrasa was one of the largest theological colleges in North Africa and may have housed as many as 900 students. One of its best known teachers was Mohammed al-Ifrani (1670-1745). Closed down in 1960, the building was refurbished and reopened to the public as an historical site in 1982.
An architectural treasure nestled in the heart of the old Medina of Marrakech, Morocco
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In this detailed post, you will find everything you need to know before visiting the Ben Youssef Madrasa in Marrakech.
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The Ben Youssef Madrasa was a Koranic school of Arab architecture in Marrakech, Morocco.
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