Riad

Moroccan riad is a typical houses following a specific architecture model that defines the houses in Moroccan medinas. A Riad is a Moroccan house in the old cities (Marrakech, Fez, Meknes). Inside the Moroccan medinas you can find small streets and hidden alleys that give some exotic atmosphere inside the old quarters of Morocco's cities, the ideal place to find a riad.

The riad is the subject of cultural wealth for Morocco and constituted a remarkable tourist attraction.
A traditional riad is a square house around a garden on the patio. This garden is divided into four parts with a fountain in the garden center iriguer and refresh the air in summer.
The patio is by definition a living space where it is good to be with family. Some chairs or benches will be placed in the shelter of a canopy or in an alcove (bhou) to enjoy the view of the garden drinking a glass of tea with mint.

Patio garden trees of riad are mostly orange and sometimes also other citrus or even a palm tree. The trees provide shade in summer and perfume the air in the season of flowers. The fountain can be integrated into a small shallow pool where space permits. Sometimes this fountain is installed against a wall of the patio to reach the center. As against the installation of a swimming pool in the middle of the patio is an architectural innovation XXII century, inspired by European culture.

riad

In recent years, former riad is transformed into restaurants, guest houses and boutique hotels. This formula was born in Marrakech is now spreading to other cities of Morocco as Essaouira, Fez, Rabat, and even in some southern villages.

If many riads have been refurbished to fully enjoy all the modern comforts (bathroom tadelakt, fireplace for winter ...) other, more traditional, almost nothing have changed, favoring the discovery of a culture different.

Generally, a riad is characterized by a level of one to four stages. It completely close on the outside by conventional, austere and secret facades whose openings are smaller to protect themselves from the heat and noise of the street. The riads are built around a patio, a lounge and a central dining room with the foundation of an architectural structure well-like bunk balcony turned on the inside. The construction of the naturally cool patio both conditioning was inspired oasis, Islamic gardens and Persian gardens.