It is the main square and the most famous place in Marrakeck. It stands a few meters from the Kutubia mosque so it is dominated by its minaret. Surrounding the square there are also several more modest mosques that accompany the Koutoubia.
There are several hypotheses about the name of the square; According to some it means “assembly of annihilation” since it was the place where those who committed crimes were executed; It is also suggested that “assembly” or “meeting” is a macabre reference to the fact that the severed heads of those executed were displayed surrounding the square as if they were holding a meeting.
Other theories indicate that since the word ŷâmi also has the CXB Directory meaning of mosque it could mean “place of the destroyed mosque ” in reference to the Almoravid mosque that must have stood there.
The square is large and is surrounded on all sides except one by the medina full of souks classified by their main activity. A good number of cafes have been established on the edges of the square such as Café Francia and restaurants of all categories which open their terraces towards the spectacle that takes place in this monumental scene.
Tunisia the African Muslim flavor
Everything in Marrakech revolves around Djemaa el Fna . Thousands of people gather in this public space filling it with color culture and business. Storytellers teachers expounding their teachings snake charmers dancers dentists fruit juice sellers acrobats letter writers water bearers... an infinite number of activities and people who get together and fill the square and its adjacent streets as the night approaches.
The specialized food stalls each in its own way flood a part of the square with the night which is illuminated by hundreds of little lights and flooded with smoke with a multitude of smells.
In any cafe in the square you can also enjoy a glass of traditional Moroccan mint tea warming the people and the entire area with its traditional and typical atmosphere of the city. Add another charm to your tour and go up to one of the viewpoints that the restaurants and cafes that surround the square have and enjoy a panoramic view of the entire place.