Zawiya of Sidi Abd el-Aziz

The Zawiya of Sidi Abd el-Aziz (alternate spellings include Zaouia of Sidi Abdelaziz) is an Islamic religious complex (zawiya) in Marrakesh, Morocco. It is centered around the tomb of the Muslim scholar and Sufi saint Sidi Abu Faris Abd al-Aziz Abd al-Haq at-Tabba', who died in Marrakesh in 1508. Sidi Abd el-Aziz is considered one of the Seven Saints of Marrakesh, and his tomb was a prominent stop for pilgrims to Marrakesh. The zawiya is located on Rue Mouassine (Mouassine Street) at its intersection with Rue Amesfah.

1. Historical background

Sidi Abd al-Aziz at-Tabbaa' was the most important disciple of the Sufi master al-Jazuli, who died in 1465 and whose mausoleum is also found in Marrakesh (after his body was moved there by the Saadians in 1523-24). At-Tabba', a native of Marrakesh, gained his reputation while teaching at the al-'Attarine Madrasa in Fes and came to be seen as al-Jazuli's spiritual successor. Along with al-Jazuli and five others, he also came to be considered one of the Seven Saints of Marrakesh (a religious institution officially established by Sultan Moulay Ismai'l), and was considered the patron saint of the city's tanners in particular. Among these Seven Saints was also Sidi Abdallah al-Ghaswani who himself was a disciple and successor of Sidi Abdelaziz and was later buried in another zawiya further south.

The zawiya complex presents a mix of Saadian and later Alaouite architecture. The mausoleum first took shape under the Saadians in the early 16th century. According to historian Gaston Deverdun, the current building dates largely from the time of Moulay Muhammad ibn Abdallah (governor of Marrakesh after 1746 and sultan from 1757-1790), who is responsible for building and restoring many monuments in the city.

1. See also

Zawiya of Muhammad Ben Sliman al-Jazuli Zawiya of Sidi Bel Abbes

1. References


1. External links

Zawiya Sidi Abdel Aziz Tebba at Archnet (includes pictures of the mosque's interior)

Nearby Places View Menu

Walls of Marrakesh

The Walls of Marrakesh are a set of defensive ramparts which enclose the historic medina districts of Marrakesh, Morocco. They were first laid out in the early 12th century by the Almoravid dynasty which founded the city in 1070 CE as their new capital. The walls have since been expanded several times by the addition of the Kasbah to the south at the end of the 12th century and by a later extension to encompass the northern neighbourhood around the Zawiya of Sidi Bel Abbes. The Gates of Marrakesh were for the most part established since the original Almoravid construction of the city walls, but most have been modified during later periods. Other gates were also added when the Almohads created the Kasbah, which itself has been expanded and re-worked many times since.

Historic Site Landmark

Ben Youssef Mosque

The Ben Youssef Mosque or Ibn Yusuf Mosque (Arabic: مسجد ابن يوسف), is a mosque in the Medina quarter of Marrakesh, Morocco, named after the Almoravid ruler Ali ibn Yusuf. The mosque was originally founded in either the late 11th or early 12th century as the city's principal congregational mosque. Of the original Almoravid mosque almost nothing remains, except for the nearby Almoravid Qubba. The mosque was rebuilt and renovated at later periods and the current building dates from a reconstruction that was completed in 1819–20.

Church Landmark

Almoravid Qubba

The Almoravid Qubba (Arabic: القبة المرابطية), also known as the Qubbat al-Ba'diyyin or Qubbat al-Barudiyyin, is a small monument in Marrakesh, Morocco. It was erected by the Almoravid dynasty in the early 12th century. It is notable for its extraordinary decoration and for being one of the only remnants of Almoravid architecture in Marrakesh.

Historic Site Landmark

Shrob ou Shouf Fountain

The Shrob ou Shouf Fountain or Chrob ou Chouf Fountain (Moroccan Arabic: شرب وشوف, romanized: shrob u shuf, lit. 'drink and look') is a historic wall fountain in the medina of Marrakesh, Morocco. It dates from the late 16th or early 17th century and is located near the Ben Youssef Madrasa.

Historic Site Landmark