Hotels near Mellah

The Mellah is Marrakech's historic Jewish quarter, established in 1558 when the Saadian sultan relocated the Jewish community to this area near the royal palace for their protection. It is architecturally distinct from the rest of the Medina - look for the wooden balconies overhanging the streets, a style found only in the Mellah. At its peak, the quarter housed thousands of Jewish residents who formed a vital part of the city's commercial and artisan life.

Today the Mellah is predominantly Muslim, but traces of its Jewish heritage remain. The Lazama Synagogue on Derb Manchoura has been restored and is open to visitors (20 MAD/~€2), with its blue-and-white tiled courtyard and prayer hall still intact. The Miara Jewish Cemetery, one of the largest in Morocco, contains hundreds of whitewashed tombs. The Mellah's spice market is less touristy than the main souks and its jewellery stalls offer better prices. The area around Place des Ferblantiers (Tinsmiths' Square) is lively with lantern and metalwork shops.

Pro Tip: Combine the Mellah with Bahia Palace and the Saadian Tombs for a half-day circuit of the southern Medina. The Lazama Synagogue is easy to miss - look for a small door marked with a Star of David on Derb Manchoura, just east of Place des Ferblantiers.