All Moroccan Medinas have Riads: Marrakech, Essaouira, Fez, Mekinez, Rabat. Each of these large Moroccan cities contains its own unique architectural gems. As you walk through the narrow streets and lanes of the old city (the Medina of Marrakech has been declared a UNESCO Heritage Site), it is hard to imagine that behind the modest walls and doors that you can see all around you there are magnific
ent mansions. If you push one of these doors open, even by accident, you will probably find yourself in a room which still does not reveal the wonders of the place. At one time, these corridors were there to isolate the inside of the Riad (ryad, a house with a garden) from the outside world. Now these passageways serve to maintain the mystery and poetry of the houses. True Riads are structured around an open patio with one or more fountains in the middle. The Riad usually has one or two floors. The exterior walls are particularly thick so the bedrooms are cool even in the summer months and there is no need for air conditioning. Riads also have rooftop terraces. At one time these terraces were used exclusively by women to do household chores. Now, however, they are places to relax and enjoy the unforgettable views of the Medina and the Atlas mountains. Paolo and Anabel, two friends who fell in love with the place, have restored and redecorated the Riad so that it retains its authenticity in the heart of the Medina, keeping the structural characteristics of the house while adding an extra touch of class in the services offered and the smaller details. The pair know Morocco well, particularly Marrakech and the south, and can therefore help and advise their guests with the knowledge they have gained.
