Morocco | The Secret Jardin

Supreme Symmetry

The garden is surrounded by a large riad, with cream concrete walls reaching high, concealing this haven. The garden is divided up with walkways and lavender borders, weaving around the main pavilion which stands tall in the centre; with delicately carved wooden beams and a hand-painted ceiling that draws guests to gaze up, mesmerising them in a whirl of incredible detail. As glorious as this garden is on foot, you can walk up the narrow staircase, and up the tower to the roof balcony where you can order a small lunch and let your eyes wander down onto the garden. From above one can appreciate the design of the garden, the symmetry and the thought behind each bench, and each flowing fountain.

The most striking part of this garden is the green ceramic tiled path that is drawn down the middle. Emerald and glistening, each tile catches the light in such a way that is hard to believe that the tile pigments originate naturally from the Atlas Mountains which you can see from the garden rooftop.

Whimsical Waterways

The most enchanting part of the Secret Garden is the waterways that travel throughout, just as in most Islamic gardens there is a spring. The spring further emphasises the atmosphere of calm and reflection as it weaves through the garden; it is a sign of life, a sign of peace. The water is a result of the Khettara, which is a ground drainage tunnel that distributes water to the luxurious parts of the city.

The secret garden is a beautiful slice of Moroccan history, an elegant nod to tradition. It is a welcome utopia in the soul of the busy and often overwhelming souk. So pop in here when you need to close your eyes and breathe, sit atop the rooftop with some tea and watch the birds sweep across the sky, dipping to the below fountains for a drink. This small garden is a place for reflection, for calm, for a touch of R&R on a busy day exploring the treasures of Marrakech.