The Garden OF STARS
Riad between Agadir and Taroudant, in southern Morocco
Holiday rental with a resident of Swiss nationality
The Medina of Coco Polizzi: a must
Destroyed during the earthquake of 1960, the medina of Agadir was replaced, on the other side of the city, in Bensergao, by a new and spectacular development, respecting the art of ancient stone developed in the Anti-Atlas and the Atlas. This must-have for any visit to Agadir is signed by the Italian-born architect Coco Polizzi, who unfortunately passed away in 2021. You can get there in about 45 minutes.
Sometimes criticized - wrongly - for being artificial, this place is actually magical, if only for the interest of its architecture and the fight led by the Sicilian and his daughters. The stones were meticulously installed, sometimes in a complex geometry, on rammed earth,as claimed by the Polizzi family.
An unfortunate quarrel
For years, financial disputes have unfortunately opposed the creator of this tastefully reconstructed complex and the local craftsmen who have set up pretty shops there, and some of whom work there.
This quarrel resulted in the many craftsmen melting away, to the benefit of the neighboring craftsmen's village ofKasbat Souss. Unfortunately, there are only less than twenty left, whose products are quite attractive. We appreciate the fixed prices, certainly slightly higher than those that can be obtained elsewhere, but which have the advantage of not giving rise to haggling.
Corollary to the decrease in the number of craftsmen, the crowd is not as dense as the medina deserves. The alleys are even sometimes almost deserted. Ah if all the craftsmen could join hands, find themselves on the same site and if the hatchet was buried inchallah!
Paid entry
The opening of the medina has experienced several long interruptions. Reviving for a time thanks to the pugnacity of Paola Polizzi and new investors, the Medina of Coco Polizzi cherished new projects. Since 2016, the Medina has hosted theInternational Arts and Culture Festival.
Alas, the Medina is difficult to make profitable, so much so thatthe judicial liquidation was pronounced at the end of 2017. A buyer with strong kidneys finally came forward: the Souss Massa Regional Tourism Development Company (SDRT), in public hands. Therefore, the future of the Medina is assured.
There is an entrance fee (40 dh, or 4€ per person). This tax is sometimes misunderstood. But when you imagine the cost of such a construction and its operation, you pay for it with understanding. Closed on Mondays.
Telephone contact: 05 28 28 02 53
On paie 40 dh (4 euros) pour y pénétrer
A droite une boutique qui a subsisté. Au Centre, une arche sous une partie habitée.
Ici la soirée de clôture du Festival Timitar 2010
Situé à l'entrée de la médina de Coco Polizzi, il a malheureusement été fermé au profit d'un restaurant situé plus au fond de la Médina.
Fatima Zahra en train d'oeuvrer à son métier à tisser. Elle a malheureusement disparu.
Et quelques boutiques qui subsistent, comme à droite.
Le créateur de la nouvelle médina d'Agadir
Digne de l'art romain
L'intérieur est superbe. Mais le service et le contenu de l'assiette ne sont pas dignes du cadre.
La médina nécessite des soins permanents.
AT 45 minutes
from Gardento the Stars.
prefer the road
quick!
The medina of Coco Polizzi in two videos
The medina of Coco Polizzi on the Jardin aux Etoiles blog
