One of the most famous historical spaces in Morocco, has for centuries stored the expressions of popular culture and open spectacle in the face of visitors from around the world, as well as the importance of commercial and economic place.
Site
Jemaa el Fna Square is located in the center of the ancient city of Marrakech, the capital of the Almoravids, and the city of historical weight and cultural and tourist radiation. Close to the ancient Kutoubia Mosque, and the arena is the home of the commercial movement and crossing the various joints of the Red City.
History
Historical sources link the origins of Djemaa el Fna square with the establishment of Marrakesh in 1071 by the Almoravids. Its commercial function was crystallized before it became more important after the construction of the nearby Kutoubia mosque, which was granted a greater status.
There are those who call it the courtyard of Jemaa el-Fna, in relation to the courtyard of the house, ie, the open courtyard, and there are those who depend on the opening to open the courtyard, claiming that it was the scene of execution in the ages of the era of absence, but there is a consensus that the arena formed over centuries long place to review the armies in their way To military campaigns.
According to some sources, the scene was the site of the army gathering in the era of the Almoravid state before launching military campaigns in various directions, including the campaign of Youssef Ben Tashfin to Andalusia, which culminated in his victory in the Battle of the famous "Zalka" on the Spaniards.
Despite its presence and its vital location in the Almoravid era, some historians associate the name "Al Fna" with the courtyard of the Great Mosque built by the Sa'dids in the Rued El Zaytoun district in the 16th century. The scene has been so widely known to be a space for many films, including Arabic.
Its classification in 2001 as UNESCO's World Heritage of Humanity was the most important turning point in the life of the place, as a universal recognition of its cultural value, a celebration of the pioneers of popular folkloric arts, and an oral memory of intergenerational heritage.
The Spanish writer Juan Guetisolo, who has chosen stability in Marrakech since the 1970s, has played an important role in rallying support for this international recognition of space protection, sustaining its activities and helping its leaders withstand the vicissitudes of modern life.
Cultural and tourism activity
Jemaa El Fna Square has become a registered tourist attraction that attracts visitors from around the world. It is one of the most famous open human spaces of its age. It stores the secrets and legacy of the times of the past through the art of watching suggested by practitioners who practice various forms of artistic communication with people, either folk singing, a mathematical and philological review, or chapters of traditional tales or snake-tasting art Monkeys and other offers that appeal to visitors according to their preferences.
In parallel with this constant activity, throughout the day and into the late night, traditional occupations such as the henna pattern and the traditional traditional cuisine of the region and the various regions of Morocco flourish.
In general, the displays of the arena, organized in the form of circular assemblies around the narrator, artist or acrobat, are an opportunity to see the richness and diversity of Moroccan cultural heritage in its Arab, Amazigh, Saharan and African dimensions.
According to Spanish writer Goetisolo, the scene is "unmatched across the world", although it can be eliminated by administrative decision, it is impossible to establish a similar arena by a decision of this kind.
The scene inspired many poets and novelists texts that immortalized this space and gave birth to it. Jemaa el Fna Square has been ranked the world's top ten theme parks by adioso.com.
