On one of my exciting trips to Marrakech, I decided to visit an old madrassa located at the northern part of the city square. The Ben Youssef Medrassa, which is named after a famous Berber ruler from the Almoravid dynasty, is one of the little less-known attractions that, for me, is definitely a must-see. The fascinating edifice was built during the 14th century, but it was only in 1565 that it was fully constructed to become the largest Madrassa in Morocco. As of today, Ben Youssef Medrassa is not a Muslim school anymore. It is now a bewitching historical site that caters to history-buff travelers like me.

Inside the ancient madrassa are crafty carvings on the walls which are composed of unusual and intriguing characters. Even though I am not a professional photographer, the images captured by my camera were stunning. Thanks to the beautiful backdrop provided by Ben Youssef Medrassa’s colorful and intricate patterns on its outside walls. The awesome 40-meter high minaret made of green tiles and the carved cedar wood roof made me stop and stare in amusement. The over-all architectural design of Ben Youssef Medrassa reminded me of those grand mosques often featured in most travel magazines. Other decorations were made of the finest marble and stucco.

I felt like a wandering royalty upon entering the inner courtyard because of the magnificent structure it offered to my eyes. I finally decided to head for the exit and go back to my hotel room before this excitement to the majestic Ben Youssef Medrassa turns to an uncontrollable obsession.

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