Place of the Dead (Djemaa el Fna)

Djemaa el Fna is the hub of daily life in Marrakech, and this town square is as much a focus for the local people as it is for the tourists who flock here to find their bearings and watch the daily spectacle unfold. The square leads in to the medina, or old quarter, where the famous souks, or bazaars, can be found. At night, the square comes alive and turns into an open-air stage filled with acrobats, storytellers, snakecharmers and musicians. There are literally hundreds of food stalls to choose from, selling anything from hearty harira soup and couscous to grilled meats and french fries. All this is not merely a show for the tourists either – the entertainers who perform here do so to earn a living, and are carrying on a centuries-old tradition that remains a fundamental part of Marrakech life.