In the heart of Granada’s Alhambra, a new cultural landmark has just been unveiled. The Amazigh Space, inaugurated on September 4, 2025, by the Dr. Leila Mezian Foundation, celebrates a centuries-old heritage and forges a powerful cultural link between Morocco and Spain.
Set within the historic Carmen de los Porcel, the opening ceremony brought together a diverse group of Moroccan and Spanish dignitaries, including Othman Benjelloun, Dounia Benjelloun, royal advisor André Azoulay, and several Andalusian officials, among them the regional Minister of Culture, Patricia del Pozo Fernández.
The project, created in memory of the late Dr. Leila Mezian Benjelloun, represents the fulfillment of a long-held vision: to create a space for cultural dialogue within one of the world’s most iconic landmarks, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
The event began with a private tour of the Alhambra, offered exclusively to the Moroccan delegation, followed by a formal ceremony at the newly inaugurated space. In her speech, the Andalusian culture minister praised the foundation’s determination and foresight. Dounia Benjelloun, vice president of the foundation, paid a deeply personal tribute to her mother, recalling her lifelong dedication to Amazigh culture and her dream of building a place to preserve and share its legacy.
Covering 250 square meters—including 200 square meters dedicated to a permanent exhibition—the Amazigh Space houses an exceptional collection of Berber artifacts amassed by Dr. Leila Mezian Benjelloun over more than fifty years. Nestled within a sprawling 20-hectare garden, the museum was designed to meet international curatorial standards and builds on the momentum of the 2019 exhibition “11th Century Zirid Granada and the Berber World,” which was inaugurated by Spain’s Queen Letizia.
More than a traditional museum, the Amazigh Space is intended as a dynamic, educational, and globally connected environment. It highlights the deep-rooted ties between Andalusia and the Amazigh world, promoting cross-cultural dialogue and the transmission of knowledge between civilizations.
Decorated in 2016 with the Wissam Alaouite by King Mohammed VI, Dr. Leila Mezian Benjelloun leaves behind a powerful legacy through this achievement. The Amazigh Space, now part of one of the world’s most visited heritage sites, stands as a lasting testament to her commitment to cultural preservation and to fostering closer ties between Morocco and Spain.
