Marrakesh is one of the Morocco’s four Imperial cities, the capital of the Almohad Caliphate in the 12th Century which sprawled through Spain and Africa. During this period Marrakesh was blessed with its mighty walls built from red Sandstone, gleaming mosques like Koutoubia, fine gardens and palaces. The Architectural influence of the Almohads was strong and featured carved domes and arches. Marrakesh’s rapid growth turned it into a cultural, religious and trading centre and despite a later period of decline, it resurged in the 16th century during the reign of wealthy Saadian Sultans. After World War II, a vast array of pleasure-seekers rediscovered Marrakesh, all sorts of foreigners started visiting here, luxury hotels, shops and restaurants started booming, and a moderate constitutional monarch had to make social reforms and gave parliament new powers for tourism industry. In 1911, the capital was moved to Rabat and Marrakesh was made capital of the mid-southwestern region of the country. Presently, the city’s main economy is based on tourism, as well as agricultural products.
