Saadian

The term Saadian refers to the Saadian dynasty and its followers, a Moroccan royal house that ruled parts of Morocco in the 16th and 17th centuries. The Saadians emerged from southern Moroccan Berber tribes, notably in the Sous region, and rose against the Wattasid dynasty in the mid-16th century. They established Marrakesh as a political center and expanded control over much of the country, transforming the political map of Morocco during their era.

The dynasty’s founder, Muhammed ash-Saïd (also known as Mulay Saïd), and his successors consolidated power in the 16th century. The peak of Saadian power came under Ahmad al-Mansur (Ahmed al-Mansur), who reigned in the late 16th century and oversaw large-scale building projects and state expansion. His reign is associated with the construction of the El Badi Palace in Marrakesh and the consolidation of Moroccan influence along the Atlantic coast and into the Sahara, as well as the completion of the Saadian tombs.

Following al-Mansur, the Saadian state faced internal factionalism and external pressure, including Ottoman encroachment and local rivals. By the late 17th century, the rising Alaouite dynasty eclipsed the Saadians, and the Saadian rule gradually ended as the Alaouites established a lasting dynasty that continues to this day. The Saadians left a legacy in Moroccan architecture, art, and historical memory, with the Saadian Tombs in Marrakesh among the most enduring monuments associated with their era.