The center of town is a market

Djema'a al Fna (main square), Marrakech-Medina

The heart of Marrakech is dominated by two elements. One is the Koutoubia mosque, whose minaret you see in the center of the image. Adjacent to the Koutoubia is a vast open space called the Djema'a el Fna. The Djema'a el Fna, which is a marketplace, is full of activity throughout the day. We refer to the Djema'a el Fna, which literally means "Square of the Dead," as just "the Square." Given its name, it is ironic that the Square is not only the throbing heart of Marrakech, but also one of the great bustling places of the world. You see people and shops of part of the Square in the foreground of this picture.

What goes on in the Square? Years ago, it was a large grain market, or suq. That's long gone. Today, as always, there is lots of commercial activity going on, but it is largely clothing and tourist items. Much of the life of the Square is focused on entertainment--story-tellers, acrobats, musicians, preachers, magicians--and services such as fortune tellers, barbers, letter-writers, and food sellers.

-Why would people in Morocco need letter-writers?

-What public spaces dominate your city?