Do you have any thoughts on the concept of New York’s renowned Park of Manhattan? Gardens in London? Or perhaps Paris’ Park Boulogne? …. No. It originated from Agdal Gardens, believe it or not. “Agdal,” which means “meadow on the banks of a wadi enclosed by a stone wall,” is derived from the Berber language. The Almoravids designed the orchard garden in Marrakech in the 12th century. The Ourika Valley was supplied with water via underground canals and channels. Agdal comprises several interconnected gardens, each leading to the next, and an olive and an orange grove. The gardens were expanded and pise-walled in the nineteenth century.
During this period, pavilions were added to a lake known as the Tank of Health, perhaps as old as the orchards. The ancient gardens of Mesopotamia may have resembled Agdal more than what is currently referred to as an “Islamic garden” in terms of geometry and functionality.
World’s first city garden – Agdal Gardens
The idea of a “city garden” was credited to the British around the end of the 18th century. The goal was to maintain a balance between the area of new city construction and the size of parks and other open areas. The Almohad introduced this novel idea in the 12th century. And recent studies revealed an astounding finding. The Agdal and Menara gardens’ combined surface area is equivalent to the Almohad capital’s constructed area.
Evolution of the Agdal Gardens
The oldest and biggest gardens in Marrakech are the Agdal Gardens. They were created in the twelfth century. According to historical accounts, Abu Yaqoub Yusuf was the Agdal Gardens’ creator. The greatest Almohad caliph was Abu Yaqoub Yusuf. He constructed the Giralda Mosque in Seville, the Hassan Tower in Rabat, and the Koutoubia Mosque. Moreover, he had a clear development strategy in mind. And in his day, that vision was highly advanced. He intended to endure extended stretches of little rain. He, therefore, designed and implemented Seville’s and Marrakech’s water systems. He was the Menara Gardens and Agdal Gardens’ chief engineer. His political philosophy produced both significant reserves and food self-sufficiency.
Agdal Gardens’ structure
Agdal Gardens create a gorgeous setting over a 500-hectare area south of the city. It is a picnic area with plenty of fruit, water, and scented flowers. Islamic culture’s typical gardens are turned inward. However, visitors can enter the Agdal Gardens from the outside. These gardens are cutting-edge in terms of their specifications and size. It took centuries for European gardens to create such masterpieces. A nine-kilometre mud wall enclosed the location of these gardens. Along this wall, there are a lot of towers. There are smaller spaces within the gardens that each welcome the planting of fruit trees. Olives, oranges, apricots, pistachios, almonds, figs, and pomegranates are all available here.
Watering Procedures at Agdal Park Gardens
Agdal Gardens aimed to guarantee a steady supply of fresh food and clean water. The garden’s designer came up with a clever watering method. A lush oasis on dry terrain was produced as a result of this method. The Almoravids transported water to Marrakech from the Atlas Mountains’ foothills. They made use of the Khoutarate intelligent water supply system. A 30 km network of underground waterways is called Khoutarate—the Khoutarate water supply system. The “Khoutarate” system feeds two sizable tanks at Agdal Gardens.
These two tanks serve as the water source for several fountains and smaller basins. They also rendered direct assistance to the people of Medina. This advanced technique makes it possible to irrigate small plots consistently. The Agdal Gardens’ architecture achieved outstanding achievement. It has been imitated in other areas of the Kingdom, including Seville. One of the first structures in the Arab Islamic world is the Agdal Gardens. These gardens received the UNESCO designation of world heritage in 1985.
Entry Time in Agdal Park Gardens
Hours of operation: Friday and Sunday, 9 am to 6 pm.
Things you should know before visit Agdal Park Gardens
A well-known historical location in Marrakech is Agdal Gardens. However, unlike Majorelle Gardens, Agdal Gardens are different from your average tourist destination. And there are several reasons for this. You should know that just a portion of this park is accessible to the general public. Additionally, it is closed most of the week (five days). There are only stores or eateries once you enter the gardens. Taxis are relatively uncommon in this city if you don’t have a car. Hire rent a car to be comfortable.
Agdal Gardens Photo Tour
More about photo tour services: https://morocco-phototours.com/services
Agdal gardens site: https://www.gardenvisit.com/gardens/aguedal_gardens
