Dar Si Said Museum

About this place

Dar Si Said is a magnificent 19th-century palace built by Si Sa'id, the brother of Grand Vizier Ba Ahmed, during the same period that saw the construction and expansion of the nearby Bahia Palace. The palace was constructed in the late 1800s as a private residence for Si Sa'id, who served as the Minister of War under Sultan Moulay Hassan I. Like its more famous neighbor, Dar Si Said showcases the extraordinary craftsmanship of Moroccan artisans at the height of the Alawite period, with intricate zellige tilework, carved cedar ceilings, painted stucco, and elaborate wrought-ironwork. In the 1930s, the palace was converted into a museum of Moroccan art, housing an exceptional collection of traditional crafts including Berber jewelry, weapons, carpets, and woodwork from across the kingdom. Following extensive renovations, it reopened in 2018 as the National Museum of Weaving and Carpets, dedicated to preserving and celebrating one of Morocco's most revered artistic traditions. The building itself remains a stunning example of a grand medina residence, with its central courtyard, reception rooms, and private apartments arranged around traditional riad gardens that offer a peaceful retreat from the bustling souks just outside its walls.