Founded in 1062 AD by Abu Bakr ibn Umar, chieftain and second cousin of the Almoravid king Yusuf ibn Tashfin, Marrakesh remained a political, economic and cultural centre for a long period, being even the capital of the Almoravid Emirate, which stretched from the shores of Senegal to the center of Spain and from the Atlantic coast to Algiers. After a period of decline, the city was surpassed by Fes, but in the early 16th century, it again became the capital of the kingdom. Beginning in the 17th century, the city became popular among Sufi pilgrims for Morocco's seven patron saints, who are entombed here. In 1912 the French Protectorate in Morocco was established and T'hami El Glaoui became Pasha of Marrakesh and held this position nearly until the reestablishment of the monarchy in 1956.
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