El Badi Palace
The atmospheric ruins of a once-magnificent 16th century palace built by Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur. Its vast sunken gardens and towering walls echo a golden age of Moroccan power.
Saadian Tombs Marrakech: Hidden Royal Necropolis
A hidden 16th century royal necropolis rediscovered in 1917, adorned with Italian Carrara marble and exquisite zellige tilework.
About the Saadian Tombs
The Saadian Tombs date back to the reign of Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur (1578–1603), the powerful ruler who also commissioned the nearby El Badi Palace. After the fall of the Saadian dynasty, Alaouite Sultan Moulay Ismail sealed the tombs around 1672 — he didn't want to destroy them but was determined to erase his predecessors' legacy. The tombs remained hidden for nearly 250 years.
In 1917, a French aerial survey revealed the sealed burial complex, and a narrow passage was opened through the wall of the adjacent Kasbah Mosque. Inside, archaeologists discovered 66 graves in a lush garden and two main mausoleums containing some of the finest Saadian-era decorative arts.
What to See
The complex features two main mausoleums set in a peaceful garden. The most spectacular is the Hall of Twelve Columns, a stunning room with twelve columns of Italian Carrara marble supporting an elaborate muqarnas (honeycomb) vault of carved cedarwood. The central tomb belongs to Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur himself.
The second mausoleum, the Hall of Three Niches, is smaller but equally ornate, with delicate stucco work and vivid zellige tiles in geometric patterns. In the garden between the two buildings, simpler tombs with colourful mosaic tiles mark the resting places of soldiers and servants.
Practical Tips
Entry: 70 MAD. Open daily 9:00–17:00. The site is small and can be seen in 30–45 minutes. Come early morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds.
Getting there: Located in the Kasbah quarter, a 10-minute walk south of Jemaa el-Fna. The entrance is through a narrow, easy-to-miss passage beside the Kasbah Mosque on Rue de la Kasbah.
Combine with: The nearby Bahia Palace (10-minute walk) and El Badi Palace (5 minutes) make a perfect half-day itinerary through the Kasbah quarter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Entry to the Saadian Tombs costs 70 MAD (about 7 EUR). The site is open daily from 9:00 to 17:00. No guide is required, but one can enhance the experience.
The site is compact and can be visited in 30-45 minutes. However, the intricate details of the marble, stucco, and zellige deserve close attention, so art lovers may want to spend a full hour.
After the fall of the Saadian dynasty, Alaouite Sultan Moulay Ismail sealed the tombs around 1672 to erase the legacy of his predecessors. They remained hidden until a French aerial survey rediscovered them in 1917.
Early morning right at opening (9:00) is ideal to avoid the crowds that build up by mid-morning. Late afternoon is another quieter window. The site is small, so it gets crowded quickly with tour groups.
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