Grandson of a salt merchant and leader of a common tribe in Southern Morocco, Thami el Glaoui was not destined to become a prominent figure. Yet, this feudal lord left a significant mark on the 20th century and Moroccan history. Made in Marrakech shares more about one of the great figures of the Kingdom.
In 1893, during the visit of King Moulay Hassan to the Glaoui's stronghold, Thami and his brother Madani made an impression with a lavish dinner. Madani was then appointed caliph of the entire region and Thami, knighted as his brother's lieutenant, swiftly earned his status as a warlord. When their father became the minister of war and later the grand vizier of the new sultan Moulay Hafid, Thami, named Pasha of Marrakech, was placed at the top of the hierarchy in southern Morocco.
The Pasha of Marrakech was a standout figure of the era. As a leader in the pacification of Morocco on behalf of the French and General Lyautey, he made a name for himself among prominent European and international figures. He also received several honors from the French government, such as being made a Grand Cross and Knight of the Legion of Honour.
Settled in his palace, known as Dar El Glaoui, the Pasha blended social life, politics, and business. His contact list included all the powerful people of his time: Caroll II, the sovereign of Romania, Abdelaziz Al Saud, the king of Saudi Arabia, and General de Gaulle, as well as celebrities like Charlie Chaplin or Farid El Atrache. The Pasha loved to impress his friends, and for this, he built an absolutely stunning palace with grand decorations, parks, gardens, a golf course, etc., and did not hesitate to throw lavish and grandiose receptions. It's known that Winston Churchill felt so at home there that he painted several canvases, and it was he who introduced Hassan el Glaoui, one of the Pasha's sons and a renowned artist, to painting.
As a loyal supporter of the French protectorate, the Pasha of Marrakech did not foresee Morocco's independence and recognized his mistake rather late. Overwhelmed by cancer, he did not live to see the official announcement of Independence, and all his palaces except the one in Marrakech were stripped of their splendor. Today, only a part of his former Dar el Glaoui Palace, now the Museum of Confluences within Dar el Bacha Palace, is open to visitors.
Published: Nov 13, 2024
Updated: Nov 18, 2024
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