🎬 EPISODE 9 : zellige et mosaïque

🎬 EPISODE 9: Zellige and mosaic art

EPISODE 9. Perfect geometry, vibrant colors, and ancestral know-how: zellige is more than just a mosaic. It is the soul of Moroccan architecture.

Colorful zellige walls in a Moroccan palace, illustrating the refined art of mosaic and traditional architectural design.

📜 Historical origins: an art from Al-Andalus

Zellige originated in Islamic Andalusia. It was later perfected by Moroccan craftsmen.

  • 8th century: The Umayyads introduced mosaic techniques to Andalusia.
  • 12th century: Zellige peaked under the Almohads in palaces and madrasas.
  • 14th–15th centuries: The Merinids added colors like blue, green, and yellow.
  • Today: Zellige remains present in mosques, fountains, and historic buildings.

📌 Like calligraphy, zellige is a visual language expressing Moroccan Islamic identity.

Moroccan craftsman cutting a zellige tile by hand in his workshop, showcasing the ancestral know-how of Moroccan mosaic.

📜 Technique: a goldsmith’s patience

This craft demands great precision and is passed down through generations.

  • Clay tiles are fired in traditional kilns.
  • Each piece is cut by hand using a menqach hammer.
  • Fragments are arranged into detailed geometric patterns.
  • Plaster is used to fix them into lasting compositions.

🎭 Why is this process unique?

  • 100% manual craft
  • No industrial tools used
  • Exceptional precision and artistic complexity

Modern kitchen incorporating a Moroccan zelliges wall, a perfect fusion of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design.

📜 Where are zelliges found in Morocco?

Zellige tiles adorn Morocco’s most iconic landmarks.

🕌 Mosques and madrasas: Minarets and halls decorated with mosaic patterns.

🏛️ Palaces and riads: Zellige is found on floors, fountains, and walls.

💦 Patios and gardens: Adding color and elegance to outdoor spaces.

🏠 Interior design: Used in bathrooms and kitchens for an authentic touch.

📌 Like Fez and Safi ceramics, zellige reflects mastery of claywork.

Moroccan master craftsman laying a zellige mosaic in a madrasa, illustrating the precision and beauty of this ancestral art.

📜 An artistic signature with varied motifs

Zellige patterns follow strict geometric rules based on Islamic art traditions.

📐 Typical shapes:

  • Stars and rosettes
  • Squares and diamonds
  • Circles and arabesques

🎨 Traditional colors:

  • Blue: Sky and spirituality
  • Yellow: Light and abundance
  • Green: Nature and Islam
  • Red: Power and vitality

📜 Zellige: a craftsmanship adapted to the modern era

Zellige continues to inspire contemporary creators and global interior designers.

🛒 Online Medina will showcase handmade zellige objects: tables, trays, and decorative tiles.

🏡 Designers combine tradition with modern minimalist patterns.

🌍 Moroccan zellige is now present in hotels and art spaces worldwide.

💡 Why add zellige to your home?

  • 100% handcrafted quality
  • Timeless and elegant aesthetics
  • A deep link to Moroccan heritage

Moroccan fountain decorated with colorful geometric zelliges, a symbol of the craftsmanship and architecture of the medinas.

🎯 A heritage to preserve

Zellige is more than decoration. It is a cultural and spiritual legacy that gives Moroccan architecture its soul.

📌 In the next episode: Discover Moroccan embroidery, from majestic caftans to delicate handwoven fabrics!


🧩 Fascinated by Moroccan mosaics? Explore Online Medina for more radiant craftsmanship.

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