Dar Si Saïd

This museum was a residence built in the late nineteenth century, it was owned by 'Si Saïd', brother to the Chamberlain of Sultan Moulay Hassan I.
In 1914, after the death of Si Said, the French protectorate transformed the palace to the headquarters of the successive chiefs of the region of Marrakesh.

In 1932, the buildings are attributed to the general direction of the public instruction of fine arts and antiques, in order to install the offices of the service of the indigenous arts in it, a museum of old art and the artisans workshops.

Starting from 1957, the offices of Dar Si Said are split between the service of craft and the museum. The latter occupies, since this date, about the half of the palace mainly including the Grand Riad with its four halls, the two floors and several annexes. Between 2001 and 2004, the museum was the object of a renovation campaign. Dar Si Said represents a rich evidence of the domestic Moroccan architecture of the previous century, all made possible by its structure and fine decorations.

The museum located to the north of the Bahia Palace, You will find there different aspect of Moroccan art made by 'mâalems' (master artisans) including woodwork, jewellery, authentic costumes and pottery. It is more of a palace than a museum but you will find beautiful architecture an amazing garden and an impressive collection of Moroccan artefacts.

Collections

The collections of Dar Si Said come from Marrakech, but also from the region of Tensift, of the Atlas and of Tafilalet. It is about the collections that are made of wood of the rural and urban architecture, of liturgical objects made of a marble tank for ablutions, of a mirror, of chapelets, of wooden Quranic tablets, of Qorans, of jewelry, potteries and ceramic, weapons, carpets, embroideries and objects made of leather. We find also metallic objects, some of pieces made of squash and plater stored objects.