In arabic "ryad" means garden. As you will soon notice garden is referred to the central area, known as Patio, that you can find in all traditional moroccan's houses. This Patio was used as cooling center of the whole mansion, by keeping the temperature several degrees lower than outside.

This kind of architecture was very apreciated for hiding private life from public one, and to separate different areas inside the house, such as woman's area, man's area, children's area, and staff 's area, by providing to everyone peace and intimity.

You will find ryads all over Morocco, but the most impressive ones are located in Fes, Meknes and Marrakech, some of them reaching the proportions of real palaces!

In modern days most of the nicest ryads have been restored into guesthouses or private structures and contributed in the growth of Marrakech's reputation.