Saadian Tombs Marrakech

## Saadian royal burial grounds The Saadian Tombs lie to the north of the Almohad Kasbah of Marrakesh, near the Moulay El Yazid mosque. The earliest part of the burial ground was established in 1557 by Sultan Abdallah al-Ghalib for his father Mohammed ech-Cheikh, founder of the Saadian dynasty. Abdallah al-Ghalib and other family members were subsequently buried here. The complex was significantly extended under Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur, who died in 1603 and commissioned new ceremonial rooms and decorative programmes. ## The two architectural ensembles The necropolis comprises the funerary structure known as the Qoubba of Lalla Messaouda and an additional group of richly decorated chambers. Rooms associated with Ahmad al-Mansur include the Mihrab Chamber, the Three Niches Chamber and the Twelve Columns Chamber. The latter contains the sultan's grave and is distinguished by marble columns, decorative plaster and carved wood. The stone graves and tilework offer evidence about funerary practice and courtly craftsmanship. ## Dynastic history and rediscovery The burial ground records several phases of royal memory in Marrakesh. It was used for Saadian rulers and later also contains the grave of the Alaouite Sultan Moulay al-Yazid, who died in 1792. The complex was brought back to wider attention by the historical monuments administration in 1917. Conservation work and interpretation now allow visitors to examine the architectural arrangement and surviving decorative details. ## Visitor arrangements The tombs are located in the Kasbah area near Moulay El Yazid mosque. Morocco's Ministry of Culture operates an official ticket platform and generally publishes visiting hours around 9 am to 5 pm, subject to change. Access to individual chambers may be regulated for conservation. Related monuments: [El Badi Palace](/en/institutions/palais-el-badi-marrakech) and [Bahia Palace](/en/institutions/palais-bahia-marrakech). ### Sources and photograph credit Source: [managing institution](https://e-services.minculture.gov.ma/fr/tickets/tombeaux-saadiens). Image: [Muhammad Mansour](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Saadian_Tombs%2C_Marrakesh.jpg), licence CC BY 2.0; no alterations indicated.