Bahia Palace

First construction Si Musa was descended from a family of black slaves which served the Moroccan makhzen (royal government) and reached the highest offices in the country. He was first hajib (similar to a chamberlain) then grand vizier under Muhammad ibn Abd al-Rahman, who reigned from 1859 to 1873. Among the existing parts of the palace today, the "Grand Riad" or large riad garden and its adjoining rooms in the northern part of the palace date from Si Musa's time and are also consequently known as the Dar Si Moussa. The two chambers on the east and west sides of the garden contain an inscription which dates their construction to 1866–7. As Abdelaziz was only sixteen, Ba Ahmed became the effective ruler of Morocco until his own death from disease in 1900. Ba Ahmed was responsible for constructing most of the Bahia Palace's southern parts, which include various smaller courtyards and riad gardens. The entire palace was built on one level, possibly as Ba Ahmed's own physique (which was described as stout and obese) made it more difficult for him to go up and down stairs. The palace is occasionally still used by the King of Morocco to receive foreign dignitaries or host events. The palace was subsequently closed for repairs and was reopened to visitors in October 2023. == Architecture ==

Layout The palace's labyrinthine layout, which does not reveal a clear unified plan, is due to the fact that it was expanded in a piecemeal fashion in different stages over many years. A minor courtyard leads into the Small Riad (), a square courtyard garden divided by walkways along its two central axes and surrounded by richly decorated galleries and chambers. A second floor apartment above this riad was added by Madani el-Glaoui after Ba Ahmed's death. On the south side of the palace are other annexes includes stables and a mosque with a minaret. Decoration The palace is most famous for its decoration. Its walls feature stucco carved with Arabic inscriptions, geometric patterns, arabesques, and muqarnas. Its floors are paved with marble and zellij tiles. Among its most famous elements are the cedar-wood ceilings painted with colourful floral patterns, along with the carved and painted wooden canopies of major doorways. The materials for this decoration were imported by Ba Ahmed from all over Morocco, including marble from Meknes (possibly from former Moroccan royal palaces), cedar wood from the Middle Atlas, and tiles from Tetouan. Artisans from all across the country were also employed for the job. == References ==