Once the imperial city of Morocco, Marrakech is a city filled with historical monuments and structures that depict the city’s breathtaking history. With the picturesque Atlas Mountains as a backdrop, Marrakech welcomes thousands of visitors each year, who come to the city to explore its magnificent landscapes and discover attractions that mostly only locals know about. Some monuments are passed through without travelers even realizing their significance. One of the unusual and spectacular attractions of the city is the Chrob ou Chouf fountain.

The Chrob ou Chouf fountain, or Shrob ou Shouf fountain as it is sometimes written, is located near the famous Ben Youssef Mosque, and a must-see as it is located just before Bab Taghzout Street. It was created under the reign of Ahmed El Monsour (ruler of Morocco in the years from 1578 to 1603), the last Saadian, whose reign extended to Timbuktu and Gao (Mali). In fact, he had established his imperial court in Marrakech and had adorned the city with many buildings thanks to the Saharan trade that he controlled.

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The fountain was built to provide fresh water to travelers and locals and was strategically positioned to be a water source near the Sahara Valley. The water to the fountain was supplied by underground sewers, which ran along the same lines that served the mosques. Its construction can be seen as a work of art, with a sculpted cedar awning providing the facade with protection from the elements and the fountain itself being built in breathtaking dimensions. A wood carved honeycomb crowns the fountain and the inscriptions in the base of the fountain were engraved in italics.

The inscription on the Chrob ou Chouf fountain was written in Andalusian calligraphy, cursive or Kufic script and can be translated as “Drink and admire” or “Drink and watch”. This wonderful Saadian monument, as beautiful as it is historic, was listed by UNESCO in 1985, confirming its cultural importance and making visitors aware of its considerable importance. Duchess Von Habsbourgh, president of the artistic restoration of cultural heritage, was present on 25 September 2000 when the restoration works on the fountain were inaugurated. As the most vital fountain in the entire medina, the Chrob ou Chouf fountain is a recommended!

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Sources: https://www.morocco.com