The Bahia Palace of Marrakech was constructed within the Qasba of Marrakech between 1894 and 1900 for Ahmed Ibn Moussa (known as Ba Ahmed), the son of the grand vizier of the 'Alawid ruler Muhammad IV b. 'Abd al-Rahman (r. 1859-1873).
The palace was designed by the architect Muhammad al-Mekki of Marrakech and is set within extensive gardens. Its large, rambling plan includes a mosque in addition to several tiled courts surrounded by lavishly decorated reception halls and private quarters.
The palace's decorative program consists of carved stucco, carved and painted woodwork, and glazed ceramic tile. These elements visually connect the palace to themes and techniques adapted from the Nasrid palace architecture of Spain and elaborated in Moroccan architecture.
Sources:
Bhachem-Benkirane, Narjess and Philippe Saharoff. 1990. Marrakech: Demeures et Jardins Secrets. Paris: ACR Edition, 66.
Macconi, Ennio. 1995. "Palacio de la Bahia." Marrakech. Florence: Casa Editrice Bonechi, 30-41.
Triki, Hamid. 1986. Marrakesh. Singapore: Marka Print Pte Ltd, 32-33.
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