Ben Youssef Madrasa
مدرسة ابن يوسف
An Islamic college founded by the Marinid dynasty in the 14th century and rebuilt by the Saadians in the 16th. It is North Africa's largest, and its courtyard carvings are breathtaking.
مدرسة ابن يوسف is in the northern medina, beside the mosque of the same name. A Marinid sultan founded it in the 14th century. In 1565, Saadian sultan Abdallah al-Ghalib rebuilt it as North Africa's largest Islamic college, which once housed 900 students. It closed in 1960 and reopened in 2022 after five years of restoration.
The heart of the site is a long rectangular courtyard. A shallow central pool reflects the cedar-wood carved eaves, the stucco Arabic calligraphy carvings and the zellige glazed mosaics around it. At the far end is the marble mihrab of the prayer hall. On the upper floor are 130 small student cells. Looking down through the carved wooden windows onto the courtyard is the classic photo angle.
Entry costs MAD 50 (2024). It is open 09:00–19:00, with shorter hours during Ramadan. A visit takes about 45 minutes. Next door are the Marrakech Museum (in the Dar Mnebhi Palace) and the Almoravid Koubba (Koubba Ba'adiyn), the only surviving Almoravid building, dating from the 12th century. The three can be visited together. Walking south through the blacksmiths' and dyers' quarters brings you back to the souks and the square.
The madrasa was once a place where Muslims studied the Quran and jurisprudence, so please keep your voice down. Early mornings when it opens, and after 4 p.m., have soft light and fewer people.
Opening hours
09:00–19:00
Nearby sights
- Maison de la Photographie
- Medina Souks
- Le Jardin Secret
- Dar El Bacha – Musée des Confluences
- Jemaa el-Fnaa
- Marrakech Tanneries
- Koutoubia Mosque
- Dar Si Said Museum