Such is the importance of Marrakech that it gave its name to Morocco. Formore than two centuries, this Berber city at the point of interchange between the Sahara, the Atlas and the Anti-Atlas was the hub of a great empire, and the achievements of illustrious builders can be seen within the city’s walls. It is the capital of the great South and, although it is now only Morocco’s third city after Casablanca and Rabat, its fabulous palaces and luxuriant palm grove continue to hold a powerful fascination for visitors. Marrakech was founded in 1062 by Almoravids from the Sahara. These warrior monks soon carved out an empire that stretched from Algiers to Spain. In 1106, Ali ben Youssef hired craftsmen from Andalusia to build a palace and a mosque in the capital. He also raised ramparts around the city and installed khettaras (underground canals), an ingenious irrigation system that brought water to its great palm grove. The Almohads took the city in 1147. Abd el Moumen built the Koutoubia, a masterpiece of Moorish architecture, and his successor was responsible for building the kasbah. But the Almohad dynasty collapsed, to the benefit of the Merinids of Fès, and for over 200 years Marrakech stagnated. It was not until the 16th century that the city was reinvigorated by the arrival of the Saadians, most notably by the wealthy Ahmed el-Mansour. The Saadian Tombs, the Ben Youssef Medersa and the remains of the Palais el-Badi mark this golden age. In 1668, Marrakech fell to the Alaouites, who made Fès, then Meknès, their capital. In the 20th century, Marrakech embraced the modern age with the creation of the Quartier Guéliz, built during the Protectorate. Visitors continue to flock to this magical city, and tourism is central to its economy today.