Le Jardin Secret

Gardens Marrakech, Morocco

Le Jardin Secret was in the 19th century one of the largest riads in the medina of Marrakech and belonged to the Chancellor of Sultan Moulay 'Abd-al-Hāfiz, who was the last sultan of Morocco before the French protectorate. The riad includes two courtyards. The larger has been restored as an Islamic paradise garden, reflecting the pure geometry and Koranic symbolism of its progenitors. The smaller garden shows another view of paradise, as described in the Old Testament book of Genesis, where “out of the ground the Lord God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food.”