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Light at the end of the tunnel for historic Mellah

July 9, 2015 12:01
Once thriving, Marrakesh's Jewish quarter now needs urgent restoration

ByAnthea Gerrie, Anthea Gerrie

1 min read

"They never said goodbye!" Assam complained wistfully of his Jewish neighbours of many years as he hammered a leaded glass lantern together for us in Marrakesh's Place des Ferblantiers.

This square, packed with artisans, is the entrance to the city's old Jewish quarter, known as the Mellah. It is about to undergo a massive £13 million government refurbishment.

For centuries a prosperous neighbourhood containing many synagogues and a cemetery as well as Jewish-owned silver and spice shops, it has fallen into disrepair in the 40 years since the majority of Jewish inhabitants fled to Israel.

Assam recalled: "We got on so well, living all mixed up together - but then they disappeared to Israel overnight."