Which Moroccan city is known as the "red city" for its rose colored clay buildings?

The beautiful Royal city of Marrakech is known as the "red city" because of its pink-tinted (rose colored) clay buildings. These building specifically look like rose-quartz gemstones in the rolling foothills of the snow-capped High Atlas Mountains.

Also, surrounding the walled city of Marrakech, are rock-strewn fields that turn into a desert with little vegetation except for patches of irrigated farmland where there are orchards and lots of old olive groves. The nearby villages are walled kasbahs (fortresses) dominated by imposing castles owned by wealthy landowners.

Deliberately, Marrakech has been made one of Morocco’s imperial cities. In history, it is a Berber/Arab fortress settlement nine centuries old. Within its 11th century medina, is the Koutoubia mosque with its elegant 65-meter high minaret. The golden balls on top are said to be a gift of a Sultan’s wife, who melted down her jewelry as an act of penance because she ate three grapes during the Ramadan fast.

There are also several elaborate palaces such as the El Badi where storks nest on the ramparts, and the Palais el Bahia with its lovely gardens. Additionally, many people visit the Mausoleum of the Saadiens and the 16th century religious school for students who study at the nearby Mosque of Ben Yussef. The mosaics and cedar carvings in the richly decorated spacious courtyard are a contrast to the sparse, cell-like rooms occupied by the students.