# Medina

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2001
- **BGG Rating**: 7.0
- **BGG Rank**: #1560
- **Players**: 3-4 (Best with: 4)
- **Duration**: 60 min
- **Weight**: 2.78 / 5
- **Designers**: Stefan Dorra
- **Artists**: Franz Vohwinkel, Mathias Dietze, Stefan Dorra
- **Publishers**: 999 Games, Giochi Rari, Hans im Glück, Rio Grande Games
- **Categories**: Abstract Strategy, Arabian, City Building, Post-Napoleonic
- **Mechanics**: Grid Coverage, Square Grid, Tile Placement

## Verdict
If you love a wooden city‑building puzzle, Medina grabs you from the first turn.Premium wooden componentsSimple, quick rulesDeep strategic choicesOnly 3‑4 playersCan feel repetitive over many playsHIGHLY RECOMMENDED

## Description
In 1822, the old medina at the foot of the Atlas Mountains is being rebuilt after years of neglect. Each player receives a wooden kit – palace blocks in orange, brown, gray and black, stables, markets and wall sections – all hidden behind a cardboard shield. On each turn you place two pieces on the 13 × 18 square grid, either extending a palace already in play or starting a new one when the current palace of that colour is finished. The goal is to complete four palaces (one of each colour) and score one point for every square occupied, for each intersection with markets and walls, plus bonuses for the largest palace of each colour and for the most recent palace that touches each of the four walls growing from the board corners. The actions are easy to grasp, yet the race for space and control of valuable zones creates constant tension. A typical game lasts about an hour and supports three or four players. The wooden components look premium, and the Arabian‑desert theme adds a historic charm. While the tile‑placement mechanic is simple, juggling the development of four palaces at once provides enough depth for fans of abstract strategy who prefer minimal luck.

## FAQ
### How many players can play?
Three to four players.

### How long does a game take?
About 60 minutes.

### What is the game’s complexity?
Weight 2.8/5 – easy to learn, challenging to master.

### What are the main components?
Wooden pieces (palace blocks, stables, markets, walls) and a 13 × 18 board.

### Is it good for fans of thematic games?
Yes, the Arabian‑desert theme adds flavor, though the mechanics stay abstract.

### Is there a digital version?
Yes, you can play online via BoardSpace or BrettspielWelt.

### Can I play with two people?
The original edition is for 3‑4, but the second edition includes rules for two players.

## Price Comparison
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