20 unique museums in Morocco

20 unique museums in Morocco that you should not miss

20 unique museums in Morocco: Morocco is home to an incredible cultural wealth that is reflected in its museums. In the shadow of the best known, present in the big cities, there are other small jewels of the most varied themes that offer a unique insight into the history, art, and traditions of this country, coupled with the most modern proposals of a country in constant evolution.

Both public and private initiatives, these almost unknown museums of Morocco are a surprise for those who cross the entrance door without knowing very well what they are going to find. All of them are an open window to the cultural identity of a country that is diverse and rich in cultural proposals.

Municipal Museum of Amazigh Heritage Agadir

The Municipal Museum of Amazigh Heritage is dedicated to the preservation of Berber culture and heritage, and offers a comprehensive overview of the history, traditions and Amazigh art, and its contribution to Moroccan identity.

The exhibits on display include more than 200 pieces, with objects related to craftsmanship, music and typical Berber clothing, as well as traditional jewelry, ancient weapons, carpets and traditional wooden utensils used in the daily life of this people rooted in the history of Morocco.

The museum also organizes conferences and cultural activities related to Amazigh culture that offer attendees the opportunity to learn more about their language, traditions and cultural practices.

On the other hand, people who want to complete their approach to the Amazigh culture and its rich heritage can also go to the Majorelle Gardens in Marrakech, where they can contemplate some jewelry and attire typical of the Berber identity.

University Museum of Meteorites

This permanent exhibition is located at the University Ibn Zohr of Agadir and it shows different meteorites that fell both in Moroccan territory and abroad, some of them coming from Mars.

It highlights the Tissint meteorite, of Martian origin, which fell in Morocco on July 18, 2011, and also the Chelyabinsk meteorite, which when it made landfall in Russia, in 2013, caused an explosion with a force of between 300 and 500 kilotons that injured more than 1,500 people.

Agadir Earthquake Museum or Museum of Memory of Agadir.

This museum documents the earthquake that struck the city of Agadir on February 29, 1960 and left more than 12,000 dead, making it considered one of the most devastating in Morocco.

Located in the Olhao Garden, a haven of peace in the middle of the city, its mission is to pay tribute to the victims and preserve the collective memory of this tragic event that forever changed the life of the city. Through photographs, testimonies and objects collected after the earthquake, visitors can understand the magnitude of the tragedy and the subsequent reconstruction of the city. In addition, visitors can listen to recordings with the testimony of the survivors and discover how a city in which 90% of its buildings were left in ruins after the earthquake was rebuilt.

In addition to the main exhibition, the museum houses a conference room and organizes events and documentary screenings.

Moroccan Jewish Museum Casablanca

Years ago, the Jewish population of Morocco was very large, especially after the expulsion of the Sephardim from the Iberian Peninsula. When the state of Israel was created, many emigrated, but others remained in Morocco, especially in Casablanca.

The city has wanted to reflect in a museum, located in a former synagogue, the daily life of the Jews, allowing visitors to learn about their religious rites through Torah scrolls and other liturgical objects. The exhibition also includes old photographs, traditional costumes, ritual objects and other elements that reflect the life of the Jewish community and its contribution to the cultural and religious heritage of Morocco.

The museum is also a clear example of coexistence and respect between the Jewish and Muslim communities that has been maintained throughout the history of the country. It is especially recommended to attend, if you have the opportunity, some of the conferences or activities organized by the museum, including some related to traditional cuisine, music or dance.

Borj Nord Weapons Museum Des

On top of a hill next to the walls of Fez stands the so-called “North Fortress”, a military construction of the sixteenth century that, in addition to having extraordinary views, is the perfect setting for a museum on historical weaponry belonging to both Morocco and other countries, including those who were once rivals of the Moroccan people.

The weapon that arouses most amazement is a five-meter cannon, used in the Battle of the Three Kings, in Alcazarquivir, in 1578. But in the museum you can also find sabers and swords from different periods, among other weaponry.

Dar Batha Museum

20 unique museums in Morocco: The Dar Batha Museum, also known as the Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions of Fez, is considered one of the best in Morocco for the quality of the handicrafts exhibited there, in disciplines as varied as embroidery, carpets or musical instruments. The collections are organized by region and arranged chronologically, making it easy to appreciate the diversity of traditional Moroccan crafts.

Located in a magnificent building with a courtyard and garden in the Andalusian style, this museum is an excellent place to learn about the ceramics of Fez, with its characteristic cobalt blue. And for those who want to delve even deeper into Morocco’s craft heritage, the museum organizes temporary exhibitions of contemporary craftsmen.

Nejjarine Museum of Wood Art and Craftsmanship

Wooden craftsmanship has always been of high quality in Morocco and this museum has taken up the challenge of showing it to its visitors. Already the building, a beautiful construction of the eighteenth century formerly used as an inn, is worth the visit. It has an impressive carved wooden facade and a central courtyard decorated with mosaics and architectural details of great beauty.

During the visit you can observe its different decorative elements in wood, from the extraordinary beams to the columns of the central courtyard, through its furniture, carved doors and lattices.

The Museum allows visitors to delve into the different techniques of cabinetmaking and the styles and ornamental tastes of Morocco over the centuries, from the oldest pieces to contemporary creations. The tour also includes musical instruments and other traditional objects, such as scales.

Those who want an added bonus to their visit can go up to the rooftop, from where there are beautiful panoramic views of the city of Fez, or attend one of the workshops and activities that allow you to learn more about the techniques and processes of Moroccan carpentry.

Marrakech Water Museum

The Marrakech Water Museum is a public initiative that reflects the importance of water in the region, while seeking to raise awareness of the need to preserve and sustainably manage this vital resource.

A visit to this museum is an excellent opportunity to learn about the history of water supply in Marrakech, from ancient irrigation systems to the most advanced methods of water management. Among other things, visitors can learn about the khettaras or ancient subway canal systems that were used to transport and distribute water.

In addition, the museum organizes screenings of documentaries and films, and interactive activities for audiences of all ages, as well as workshops and lectures, to understand the importance of water in the local and global context, raising awareness about its conservation and responsible consumption.

Museum of Moroccan Culinary Art

Morocco is known for its rich culinary tradition and exquisite cuisine, the result of a fusion of Arab, Berber and Mediterranean influences. To learn about Moroccan specialties, such as tajines and couscous, as well as other curiosities about the spices, you must go to this museum, located in a beautiful riad with a beautiful courtyard.

There is the possibility of choosing a tasting to appreciate the delicious flavors of Moroccan dishes and you can also receive a Moroccan cooking course to try to emulate the delicious recipes when you get home. The dishes can be tasted on the roof terrace.

Women’s Museum

20 unique museums in Morocco: The Women’s Museum is dedicated to Moroccan women and their role in the history, culture and identity of the country. The exhibition delves into different social, political and economic aspects in which women have been a key figure.

The different rooms talk about the history of women’s emancipation in Morocco, gender roles and the female contribution in aspects such as craftsmanship. In addition, the museum organizes conferences and workshops, and screens films with the aim of raising awareness and opening a debate on the challenges, achievements and strength of women.

Boucharouite Museum

Located in a beautiful riad in Marrakech, the Boucharouite Museum is part of a private initiative that has highlighted the magnificent and colorful carpets handmade by peasant women from different parts of Morocco.

To create the boucharouite, textiles are used, usually pieces of cloth and recycled clothes that are given a second life. And although traditionally these carpets have not been recognized as they are considered a popular art, today they are highly appreciated for the artistic interest they contain, the result of the creativity of the Moroccan women who make them.

The boucharouite are pieces of original art, with a unique design in which each woman pours her personal creativity. The carpets made with this technique are a form of contemporary art and an expression of Moroccan cultural identity.

On the walls of the museum you can admire the carpets as works of art. If you are lucky enough to be shown by Patrick, the owner of the riad and promoter of the initiative, it will be a plus, because he will explain the hidden symbolism of each of the pieces and even the history of some of the women who created them.

Perfume Museum

The Perfume Museum, in the medina of Marrakech, invites you to explore the scents and fragrances typically Moroccan throughout history. The tour includes hands-on demonstrations where visitors can learn the extraction processes of natural essences used in the manufacture of perfumes and discover the ingredients and traditional techniques used in Moroccan perfumery.

The permanent exhibition showcases antique perfume bottles, as well as different utensils used in the storage and application of fragrances, in a country with a rich perfumery heritage and an industry that has evolved over the years.

Before leaving the museum, there is the possibility of making a personalized fragrance, selecting and combining different essences with argan oil to create a unique perfume.

Dar Jamaï National Museum of Music

Music has always been one of the most important cultural expressions of Morocco and this national museum in Meknes houses one of the most important collections to learn to distinguish the differences between rural and urban music.

It is an excellent way to approach typical Moroccan folk dances, genres such as gnawa music or musical instruments such as the bendir, made with the most traditional techniques.

It also offers an immersive experience in Moroccan music through audiovisual projections and audios featuring live performances. You can also contemplate traditional costumes, old scores and photographs, and recordings where Moroccan music is the protagonist.

If you have the opportunity, you should attend one of the concerts that take place in the courtyard of the museum, certainly a great opportunity to appreciate Moroccan music.

Morocco National 4×4 Auto Museum

20 unique museums in Morocco: Located in the desert of Merzouga, in this small museum you can see some of the most used vehicles in this desert region, in addition to several cars used by the King.

Among its curiosities is a converted double Wrangler Jeep or its single-driver version. Motor enthusiasts will enjoy this museum in the middle of the desert.

Tangier Villa Harris Museum

This museum is located in the former residence of journalist and spy Walter Burton Harris, which after years of neglect has become a beautiful building that serves as a framework to collect the work of international artists such as Claudio Bravo and Jacques Majorelle, artists who came to Tangier emulating Eugene Delacroix, the famous painter who found his inspiration from Morocco.

In the building, listed as National Heritage in 2007, you can also see more than 200 works by contemporary artists such as Faried Belkahia or Fatima Hassam, as well as other creations of the most important European orientalists.

Museum of the Lorin Foundation

20 unique museums in Morocco: This small museum, located in the medina of Tangier, is another example of private initiative. It was created by a French patron and is located in a former synagogue, collecting works by local artists seasoned with photographs of old Tangier.

Museum of the Legislation of the United States

The Museum of United States Legislation shows the historical relations between the United States and Tangier, taking into account that this city had the status of international zone in the first half of the twentieth century. It is managed and promoted by the Tangier American Legation Institute for Moroccan Studies (TALIM), a private initiative that presents its collection in a beautiful late 19th century building that combines Andalusian and European styles.

The museum exhibits everything from period furniture to works of art, such as those by Marguerite McBey, and documentation by writer Paul Bowles, as well as other pieces that reflect the close relationship that Morocco and the U.S. have had.

Tetouan Modern Art Center

20 unique museums in Morocco: Lovers of modern art will enjoy this museum in Tetouan, one of the most recent of its kind in the country. Located in a former railroad station transformed into an exhibition center, it also functions as a school for new talents.

Museum of the Coin or Museum Bank Al-Maghrib Rabat

Coin lovers are in luck because this museum in Rabat has no less than 30,000 coins. In fact, it was created to be able to show the best pieces, as well as to explain the concept of money, combining divulgation and history.

The museum is located at the headquarters of Al-Maghrib Bank and visitors can delve into the collection of historical coins and banknotes, from pre-Islamic times to the present day, as well as discover the evolution of currency in Morocco, from the oldest to the most modern banknotes.

Information is also provided on the Al-Maghrib Bank and its role in the country’s economy. Visitors can learn about monetary policies, banking systems and economic management in Morocco.

And for those interested in Morocco’s numismatic history, there is also an insight into the technology and security related to the production of coins and banknotes, with curiosities such as the techniques used in the manufacture of money and the security measures implemented to prevent counterfeiting.

Ouarzazate Film Museum

The Ouarzazate Film Museum, also known as Atlas Film Studio Museum or Cinema Museum, is dedicated to the world of celluloid and offers a review of the most famous films shot in the city, taking into account that it has been chosen for the filming of different films for its stunning desert landscape and unique architecture.

It is located inside the Atlas film studios, one of the largest film studios in Morocco, and allows viewing objects, costumes, equipment and props used in the filming of movies. But, in addition, it also offers visitors the opportunity to see the film studios themselves.