Marrakesh Jewish Quarter Gets $20M Facelift

By JTA June 25, 2015

The Moroccan government plans to rehabilitate the ancient Jewish quarter of Marrakesh.

The Jewish quarter renovation, estimated to cost $20 million, is part of a larger $32 million city rehabilitation effort jointly funded by Morocco’s housing ministry and the City of Marrakesh, Morocco World News reported.

Marrakesh’s Jewish quarter, known as the Mellah, was built in the 16th century, according to Morocco World News. The area remained heavily Jewish until the middle of the 20th century, when the majority of Morocco’s Jews left for Israel.

The 40-acre historic neighborhood is surrounded by high walls that once separated the Jewish and Muslim communities.

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