Sign in with Facebook
Hotel Royal, Quarzazate
Toyota Landcruiser from Aziz
ALBERT BERGADA
View from the Kasbah de TaourirtTaourirt Kasbah
This was once, one of the largest Kasbahs of the area, and was home to members of the Glaoui Dynasty, who ruled the vicinity.
Parts of this Kasbah have been carefully restored by Unesco.
It is probably the main sightseeing venue of Ouarzazate.
Open 0800-18.30 daily
Admission 10dh. (2007)
On entering the kasbah, I was approached by a guide who spoke French. Realising that I was English, he sent for an English speaking colleague.
I wasn't really sure if I wanted or needed a guide, but I was glad to find that the guide that appeared to show me around spoke very good English, and was very informative - I only wish that I could remember half of what he told me about the kasbah- he really bought the kasbah to life!
As well as being informative, he wasn't pushy- he took me to shops etc - where the cynical me expected that I'd be expected to buy something, and I was shamed to find that the shopkeepers just wanted to show me their shops (These were in historic situations etc) and were pleased to welcome a foreign visitor. Quite a humbling lesson!
Its' location in the oasis,and fertile Draa Valley, ensured that there was a good supply of fruit, vegetables, wheat and Barley for its inhabitants, and for trading purposes.
The kasbah, as well as housing the aforementioned family, plus their servants and workers, was an important trading centre.
Nowadays, as well as being a tourist sight, it is a museum and is hired out to film companies, and for wedding celebrations.
