The Kasbah Trail

  

Majestic and immortal, the
Kasbahs stand in careless
defiance of travellers and the
passage of time

The Kasbahs - sandcastles beyond the reach of time

Great rose-coloured citadels stand proudly on the hillsides, defying anyone who passes to ignore them. These are the far-famed kasbahs of the Moroccan south, residences built from adobe, a mixture of clayey earth and straw, their architecture of striking originality and rare elegance. Morocco’s kasbahs retain all of their poetry, serene in their power and living witness to the victory and apogee of the mountain culture that brought them into being. Perfectly adapted to their natural surroundings, they are also an expression of the social  life of a sedentary mountain people. Standing eternal, they are southern Morocco’s dearest heritage.

The Taourirt Kasbah

The majestic Taourirt Kasbah is listed as a national heritage monument. It was built in the 19th century, and was the Pasha of Marrakech’s largest residence. Its architecture, with its many crenellated towers, geometric motifs, and interior richly attired in painted stuccowork and cedar wood, is a marvel to behold. The Kasbah has just been restored throughout, and now houses exhibition galleries, a library and an amphitheatre.

The Tifoultout Kasbah

Built in the 17th century to accommodate the Pasha of Marrakech’s guests, the Tifoultout Kasbah was renovated thirty years ago and is now a hotel and restaurant. It stands beside the village of Tifoultout, near Oued Drâa, a spot where tranquillity and peace of mind reign supreme. From its terrace, you can enjoy magnificent views of the city of Ouarzazate below, and of the surrounding mountains.

 Less well preserved, but equally well worth seeing, is the Kasbah of the Storks (Talmasla), a group of buildings on three levels, the highest of which has been specially decorated and has become a favourite stop-off for migrating storks. Set in the midst of the Skoura palm grove, the great Amridil Kasbah, with its square patio, four storeys, and four wide towers, differs architecturally from its peers. Its interior layout, however, is faithful to tradition, with the first floor given over to the kitchen,
the other floors to living space, and the towers to storage of food. Construction started on the Telouet
Kasbah in 1860, and further buildings were added over the course of the decades. The result is a masterly work of art, fortress, chateau and caravanserai all rolled into one, a marvel of painted woodwork, wrought iron, sculpted stucco and colourful zellij. Legend has it that it took 300 craftsmen three years to sculpt its ceilings and walls.

 

A Ksar is a fortified
village made up of several
kasbahs built side
by side, forming an
architectural ensemble
of rare beauty

 

Tamdakht Kasbah      

It is a remarkably impressive edifice, comprising no fewer than five storeys and nine
towers. It was built in the 19th century, and has been undergoing restoration. Its inner courtyard is
framed by magnificent archways affording unrestricted views of the fortified village.

Tamnougalt Kasbah

It dates back to the 16th century and is one of the oldest in the Kingdom. Its interior boasts sumptuously painted wooden ceilings, sculpted plasterwork, and geometric motifs. An altogether perfect example of a ksar! The walls of Amzrou Ksar overlook the M’hamid road. The village is divided into two, a Muslim half with its requisite mosque and a Jewish half with its synagogue and mellah (Jewish quarter).

 

Telouet Kasbah