Photographer’s Note
Djemaa el Fna (Arabic: جامع الفناء ) is a square and market place in Marrakesh's medina quarter (old city). The origin of its name remains unknown : it means Assembly of the dead in Arabic, but as the word djemaa also means mosque in Arabic, it could also mean place of the vanished mosque, in reference to a destroyed Almoravid mosque.
The place remains the main square of Marrakesh, used equally by locals and tourists. During the day it is predominantly occupied by orange juice stalls, youths with chained Barbary apes, water sellers in colourful costumes with traditional leather water-bags and brass cups, and snake charmers who will pose for photographs for tourists. As the day progresses the entertainments on offer change: the snake charmers depart, and in the afternoon and evening the square becomes more crowded, with Chleuh dancing-boys (it would be against custom for girls to provide such an entertainment), story-tellers (telling their tales in Berber or Arabic, to an audience of appreciative locals), magicians, and peddlers of traditional medicines. As dark descends the square fills with dozens of food-stalls, and the crowds are at their height.
The square is edged along one side by the Marrakesh souk, the traditional North African markets which service both the common daily needs of the people of the city, and the tourist trade. On other sides are cafe terraces to escape from the noise and confusion down in the square, and on yet other sides are hotels and gardens. Narrow streets lead into the alleys of the medina quarter, the old city.
Once a bus station, the place was closed to traffic in the early 2000s. The authorities are well aware of its importance to the tourist trade, and a strong but discreet police presence ensures the safety of visitors.
Critiques | Translate
aadilj
(17950) 2008-05-02 4:31
Another of the Arabian Nights shot which I simply love. great lights and well handled circumstances. The glows are superb and the colours are absolutely fantastic.
grigand
(13222) 2008-05-02 5:17
Cioa Ishan,
Bel scatto di questo vivacissimo luogo, hai ben colto l'atmosfera.
ciao
andrea
tetixxx
(1955) 2008-05-02 7:17
merhaba,
arabistanda hayat gece daha hareketli oluyor..bilhassa yazları..burası bir pazar yeri sanırım...bu gece alış-verişini çok güzel yansıtmışsınız...ellerinize sağlık...selamlar...said
degani
(2898) 2008-05-02 9:06
Buona sera Ihsan,
molto bella questa fotografia notturna, nitida e con colori molto naturali, veramente bravo
ciao
franco
Jeppo
(12923) 2008-05-02 9:26
Ciao Ihsan,
la nota é molto completa ed interessante. Il Marocco é stato per me una bellissima sorpresa, una perla a due passi da casa da scoprire con piacere. Marrakech la prima città visitata: quindi..il primo impatto é sempre il + intenso.
approvo quindi la scelta di fotografare djema el fna....sopratutto di notte..nel momento in cui questo luogo si anima...e luci e fumi, odori, profumi, melodie e frastuono si fondono in una unica sinfonia
ciao
Silvio
manada
(6237) 2008-05-02 10:55
Ciao Ihsan
bellissima scena notturna e piena di vita e movimento.
Anche un buon Pov
Selamlar
Freddy
okahraman
(4578) 2008-05-02 10:55
İhsan abi Merhaba ;
çok canlı bir kare çokda güzel bir gece fotoğrafı elinize sağlık
Önder Kahraman
Silvio1953
(45136) 2008-05-03 0:34
Ciao Ihsan, splendida composizione affollata di gente e con magnifiche luci, proprio da mille e una notte, bravo, ciao Silvio
rodgerg
(27003) 2008-05-04 2:37
Hello Ishan,
Beautiful sight of this place animated eache evening. Very nice gilded colors. Details very welle collected.
Regards,
Roger
denizler
(4506) 2008-05-09 10:48
Selamlar Değerli Kardeşim İhsan:)
Muhteşem bir gece çekimi.Gece olmasına rağmen bakıyorum hayat devam ediyor.Sanırım geceleri daha serin oluyor oraları.Ellerine sağlık.
İyi Geceler,
Deniz:)
toto
(18919) 2008-05-10 11:12
Bonsoir,
belle photo de ce marché de nuit très bien pris avec ses lumières blanches, plus ces lumières orangées des bâtiments.
Jolies couleurs et bonne netteté de l' ensemble.
Belle prise, bien vu.
Amitiés Thomas
azaf1
(15625) 2008-05-12 1:10
Selam Ihasan
A very good night shot! It's very clear and sharp and the details are seen well. I like the note, too
TFS
Argiris
Photo Information
-
Copyright: ihsan mursaloglu (mursaloglu)
(5350) - Genre: Places
- Medium: Color
- Date Taken: 2008-03-14
- Categories: Daily Life
- Exposure: f/4, 1/25 seconds
- More Photo Info: view
- Photo Version: Original Version
- Date Submitted: 2008-05-02 4:30








