If you have ever been to Morocco, you have probably passed a dozens of them as you wound down the corridors of the medina in Fez, Marrakesh or Essaouira. Classic riads are intentionally nondescript on the outside to avoid the gaze of intruding eyes and the punishment of the weather. To the modern eye, the only demarcating features are the large, ornate doors that guard the entrance.

Although it is the villas of the Marrakech Palmeraie that have led stars like Brad Pitt, Will Smith, Michael Jordan and others to Morocco, those in hunt of “the pleasure of Fes” or the “fame of Marrakech” have come in search of Morocco’s riads.

Like a Scene Out of Indiana Jones…

As the heavy, ancient door creaks open, like a scene out of Indiana Jones, you are taken into a secret world sprawling out before you. In traditional Islamic architecture, outward surfaces are unadorned and nondescript, and beauty lies on the interior. As you step through the doorway, you are drawn into heart of the riad. It is the threshold from the public world to a private one.

Around you, tiles designed by artisans of generations gone by draw you into the inner chamber of the riad- typically an open-air garden or courtyard in the center of the house. Riads by their very nature are more of an artistic creation than a simple living space. The development of riads came with the influx of Andalusian craftsmen from Spain to Morocco during the Almoravid dynasty. Marrakech and Fes were the favorite cities of the Almoravid ruler Youssef Ibn Tachfine, and consequenlty the greatest examples of riads are found in these cities.

An Ancient Arab Fairy Tale…

The inner courtyard brings both a sense of calm and amazement to the Western eye. The best of the riads make you feel like you are in an ancient Arab fairy tale and are a far cry from the architectural styles of the Western world. Now the hustle and bustle of the medina streets feels as far away as the continent you came from. The courtyard is the center of life in the riad. There is room for relaxation in the sun, reclining in the shade, meals to be taken and books to be read. It is from here that the rest of the riad spreads its arms.

Waiting to Be Explored…

As your eyes are lifted up to the two or three stories that ascend around you, rooms, balconies, nooks and crannies beckon to be explored. Each bedroom is distinct in both dimension and decor and today have been styled in combinations of ancient Moroccan themes and the flair of the riad owner. There are very traditionally style riads and there are riads in black and white, Art Deco, rustic and hundreds of other styles. No two are the same.

When In the Land of the Setting Sun…

So remember when in the land of the setting sun, riads offer the chance to leave the cookie-cutter chain hotel behind and to experience the magical side of Morocco.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 13th, 2009 at 11:43 am and is filed under Riads. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.