An earthquake in southern Morocco caused notable damage to prominent museums and their collections. This update comes from Mehdi Kotbi, head of the Moroccan National Foundation for Museums, and it has sent ripples through cultural communities as the full extent of the harm becomes clearer.
Among the sites affected is the Dar Si Said Palace, a historic landmark developed in the late 19th century. Today it houses the National Carpet Weaving Museum and its ceramics collection. Officials confirm that the quake caused serious damage to both the palace and its exhibits, underscoring the vulnerability of cultural heritage kept in aging buildings not originally designed to withstand high-magnitude earthquakes.
Kotbi reported that a substantial portion of the museum’s ceramic holdings were damaged, with many pieces broken during the seismic event. The losses highlight the delicate nature of cultural artifacts and the challenges of preserving heritage in structures that predate modern earthquake-resistant design.
Visible cracks appeared at Dar Si Said as engineers and conservators began assessments on site. Kotbi explained that Marrakesh’s museums were established within older buildings that relied on construction techniques from earlier eras. The current task is to determine structural safety, evaluate the full scope of damage, and ensure proper restoration and stabilization so that the sites can be safeguarded for future use.
Repair plans are underway for the affected museums, with a pledge to restore access to visitors once safety and preservation standards are met. Local authorities, working with national cultural bodies, are prioritizing rapid assessment and careful conservation work to allow exhibitions to resume within a reasonable timeframe.
In support for Morocco, the World Bank announced aid to assist in recovery and reconstruction efforts following the disaster. The assistance aims to strengthen cultural institutions, protect collections, and support communities that rely on heritage tourism as part of the broader recovery strategy.
The earthquake registered a magnitude of 6.8 and struck during the night between Friday and Saturday. The tremor was felt most strongly in a mountainous region about 70 kilometers southwest of Marrakech, where communities faced significant disruption and damage. Authorities continue to monitor aftershocks and coordinate relief and restoration efforts across affected areas.
Earlier, the country observed mourning in response to the tragedy, as communities came together to support those affected and to safeguard the region’s cultural legacy for future generations.