Introduction
The Medina of Marrakesh is the historic walled old town of Marrakesh, founded by the Almoravids in 1070-72 and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site; its labyrinthine souks near Jemaa el-Fnaa square are covered market alleys selling spices, leather goods, lamps, carpets, jewelry and traditional Moroccan crafts. It remains a bustling, maze-like shopping and cultural district that has served as the city's economic and cultural centre for centuries.