the #bahia #palace in #marrakesh – bahia means #luminance in #arabic – was built between 1866 and 1867 by si #moussa
some #history: si moussa was the grand #vizier of sultan moulay #hassan
moussa was a remarkable man who rose to this position after starting life as a #slave
his son, bou ahmed, became chamberlain to moulay hassan and later after hassan’s death he appointed himself grand vizier, resided in the palace, and became the de facto ruler of #morocco until his death
elegant #arches, arcaded #courtyards, lush #gardens fragrant with jasmine and #citrus trees, melodious #fountains, brightly painted wood ceilings, intricate #stucco work, pathways paved with white #carrara #marble from italy and beautiful #zellij #mosaics, galleries inlaid with yellow and blue #ceramic #tiles, #carved #cedar ceilings, stained #glass and its multicolored shadows
#islamic #architecture and #ornamentation are so exquisite so meticulous so expressive so sensorial that it’s hard not to weep with joy
more pictures here.