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Back to School at Madrasa Ben Youssef in Marrakech


Madrasa Ben Youssef - Modestie Magazine
Photo by Adri Ramdeane via Unsplash

Staggering heights and impeccable design, Madrasa Ben Youssef is an architectural beauty transcending the history of Marrakech from within its walls.


My visit to Madrasa Ben Youssef was both enlightening and humbling; because my grandfather used to study and live here and whilst I grew up in London it was interesting to see where my previous family members grew up. Madrasa Ben Youssef used to be an Islamic College in the 14th Century and closed down in 1960. As you go around the college you can see the small rooms the students shared. Where in some rooms up to six students lived; as well as some hidden places I have found with carved names of the alumni.


Madrasa Ben Youssef - Modestie Magazine
Photo by Milad Alizadeh via Unsplash

As you walk around the empty hallways and peer over the small balconies; it felt kind of eerie imagining children studying in such a big old building especially my late grandfather and previous ancestors. One of the things I loved was finding little hide out rooms around the college, I found a room full of love notes and initials carved in hearts on the walls, the room looked like an attic where it was hidden in the corner for visitors to stumble upon and uncover. Madrasa Ben Youssef is hidden in the heart of the Medina in Marrakech and is definitely worth a visit to see some of the history of Moroccan students in one of the biggest colleges in Marrakech.



As well as the vibrant history on how they lived; the beautiful architecture and cool atmosphere is definitely somewhere to escape the heat for a bit. To me it was like the equivalent to going to an old palace in a way. Because as you go through the small rooms and staircases which was eerie and beautiful at the same time; I don't know what it is about old architecture but it is so fascinating and beautiful to look at.


Find out more information about visiting Madrasa Ben Youssef here and read more about where modestie magazine is heading to next here!

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