El Badi Palace is a ruined palace said to have 300 rooms decorated in gold, turquoise and crystal. It was built at the end of the sixteenth century to celebrate the victory over the Portuguese army, in 1578, in the battle of the Three Kings. This palace was constructed using the most expensive materials of the time, including gold and onyx. The palace used to have 360 richly decorated rooms, a courtyard and a central pool exhibiting grandeur in every aspect.

The rise of the Alaouite dynasty, had seen the decline of this palace when Sultan Ismail Ibn Sharif stripped the building of its contents, building materials and decorations, to be used in the construction of his new palace in his new capital at Meknes.

Currently, El Badi is used as a museum displaying interesting exhibits including a restored 12th-century minbar that once stood in the Koutoubia Mosque. Minbar is housed in a pavilion in the southwest corner of the main courtyard and requires entry fee for admission.

HOW TO GET TO EL BADI PALACE ?

Located 900 metres from Jemaa el-fnaa. To reach the palace from Jemaa el-Fnaa, take the street Rue Riad Zitoun el Kdim, on the south end of the square.