Jemaa el-Fna in Marrakech: a week’s break to reinvent the famous square

This decision, deemed "necessary", which comes in the middle of the tourist season, aims to allow the acceleration of the development and reorganization work in progress on the famous Jemma El-Fna square and its surroundings. The authorities hope that the companies will take advantage of this short break to complete the work and give a new face to this square.

Describing the measure as "painful but necessary", Hamid, a local community activist, added that "the square was experiencing real anarchy due to the overlap between construction sites and activities". According to him, this "logical" suspension will help restore order and give Jemaa el-Fna back its former glory.

The measure is a blow to the merchants. "The decision will affect us economically, and even tourism will suffer this week, but we can’t do anything; it’s for our long-term good," confides a stand owner.

The local authorities assure that the activities will resume their normal course at the end of the one-week deadline, with strengthened control over hygiene, food safety and the organization of the space. During this time, the square continues to welcome many visitors and the shows of storytellers, musicians and snake charmers.