Moroccan HOTELS AND Riads RIADS: ONLY IN MOROCCO
Riads
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Riads:
Staying in a riad is the best way to discover the true spirit of Morocco, and to live an unforgettable experience:
Located in the historical city centers of Morocco, more specifically in the medinas of Marrakesh , Essaouira , and Fez amongst other cities, are riads (also spelled ryads), that are ancient palaces and private residences that once belonged to Sultan princes, aristocrats, and noble families. Nestled in the labyrinths of the medinas, these residences represent and reflect the Moroccan artisan richness and patrimony. Today, these residences have been transformed into luxury bed and breakfasts and boutique hotels inviting to travelers to experience Morocco in an entirely new manner. .
Imagine walking through the bustling medina where your senses are in overdrive from the swirling perfume of odors, rainbow of colored fabrics, the sing song rhythm of merchants calling out to passerby, and a steady hum of busy energy as habitants go about their daily errands.
You pass these stands and boutiques and turn into a calmer and more residential pathway. There are walls rising up to either side of you and the only openings are doorways that seem very ordinary, though they are masking a thousand secrets and surprises.
Passing through one of these doorways you enter a large, well proportioned courtyard and discover a hidden palace. The central courtyard is typically sprinkled with flowers and trees providing shade. Fountains are elaborately decorated with mosaic designs and often you will find a mosaic tiled water basin serving as a small swimming pool.
The courtyard is shaded by the living structure that surrounds it. Typically there are four faces of the riad overlooking the courtyard with windows that may be decorated with intricately carved wooden shutters. Riads respecting traditional Moroccan architecture are redone using materials such as tedlakt and zellige. The columns supporting the roof are set out from the riad and form a collection of open galleries that open onto the central patio.
A Riad is a traditional Moroccan house or palace with an interior garden. The word riad comes from the Arabian term for garden, "ryad". [1]The ancient Roman city of Volubilis provides a reference for the beginnings of riad architecture during the rule of the Idrisid Dynasty.[2] The design of these courtyard dwellings in the coastal regions of Morocco were an adaption and modification of the Roman villa. The riad became popular to begin with because of the religion of Islam . The riads were inward focused which allowed for family privacy and protection from the weather in Morocco. This inward focus was expressed in the central location of most of the interior gardens and courtyards and the lack of large windows on the exterior clay or mud brick walls. Entrance to these houses is a major transitional experience and encourages reflection because all of the rooms open into the central atrium space. The style of these riads has changed over the years, but the basic form is still used in designs today. Recently there has been a surge in interest in this form of house after a new vogue of renovation in towns such as Marrakech or Essaouira. Many riads are now used as hotels or restaurants and make a peaceful break from the hustle and bustle outside. .
An other thing to knwo; there is private riads that can be rented if you are looking for calm, or you are planning to have a good vaccation with friends or family. that's a best way to spend your money.