What is "riad"?

Riad Touareg Badié - 40, Rue Berrima - Derb Touareg - Médina - Marrakech - Morocco

E-mail: Riad-Touareg@Riad-Touareg.com

A Riad (Arabic: رياض‎) is  a traditional Moroccan house or palace with an interior garden, built with a centrally placed open courtyard and usually including a terrace with a view. According to Wikipedia the ancient Roman city of Volubilis provides a reference for the beginnings of riad architecture during the ruling of the Idrisid Dynasty. The design of these courtyard dwellings in the coastal regions of Morocco were an adaption and modification of the Roman villa. To begin with, the riads became popular because of the religion of Islam . They were inward focused, which allowed for family privacy and protection from the weather in Morocco. This inward focus was expressed in the central location of most of the interior gardens, and courtyards and the lack of large windows on the exterior clay or mud brick walls. Entrance to these houses is a major transitional experience. This encourages reflection, because all of the rooms open into the central atrium space. The style of these riads has changed over the years, but the basic form is still used in designs today.

Before, the riads in Marrakech were mostly used as private homes for wealthy people. They were beautifully decorated and each designed as a quiet oasis with a spring water piscine, green plants and flowers. With its thick walls and special interior design, a riad is specially built to serve as a relaxed oasis for hiding away from the busy streets and markets in Marrakech. Today many riads are used as small hotels and/or restaurants.

Riad Touareg Badié  is a private riad, also available to special guests. Read more about Riad Touareg Badié  here and go to the photo gallery and get a fully presentation. 

Page revised: 08/10/08 16:18:46 +0200

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