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Latest Ouarzazate hotel reviews
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A can't miss!!!
Situated in the High Atlas Mountains of southern Morocco the medieval fortress of Ait Benhaddou guarded the trading route to Timbuktu. Today the once thriving kasbah is home to a mere handful of inhabitants though plans are afoot to utilise the abandoned town as a means of alleviating Morocco?s severe housing shortage. Built entirely of baked sand the fortresses remain cool even in the searing afternoon heat of the desert, the earthen walls acting as great insulators. The roofs are made of a bitter willow, the taste of which repels insects. Every door and window in every building has a purpose, be it spiritual, aesthetic or practical. It is incredible to think that this is a town built without architects, without blueprints, without a grand design.
Above all Ait Benhaddou is remarkably beautiful; rarely do man made structures compliment their surroundings so perfectly. It is little wonder that Hollywood has chosen to make over 20 movies in the vicinity, amongst them the multi award winning ?Lawrence of Arabia? and ?Gladiator?. In recognition of its magnificence and its place in both modern and ancient history the site was recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Written Feb 28, 2004
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Probably one the most beautiful Kasbah you will see.
This Kasbah with exceptional luminosity, natural decorations and labour cost defying any competition: the film-makers precipitate, and follow one another in the area of Ouarzazate.
Written Feb 28, 2004
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You can see some wonderful Kasbah like this one when you are not limited in time. You can count one to two good weeks to visite all the Ouarzazate and the Draa Valley region.
On this picture :
The kasba of Amerhidil. The mason master manages a team of three or four workmen. They draw the ground from the site even of construction, put it in baskets out of fibres of dwarf palm tree, lift up it thanks to scales and throw it in the casing. The wall can thus reach 20 m in height without problem of stability.
Written Feb 28, 2004
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On your way, you will see some very strange landscape. Straight from the moon!!
On this picture :
The Jbel Tifernine. As in any desert zone, water is not always beneficial there: it falls only 100 mm there per annum on average, but in the form of pourring rains and devastating which carry all on their passage.
Written Feb 28, 2004
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And more Kasbah, remember...you are in the Kasbah Country!!!
On the picture :
It is still a kasba belonging to the family of Glaoui, located on a piton, above a ksar, between a wadi and a palm plantation. The ksour are surrounded by an enclosure with only one door of entry and include a series of attics.
Written Feb 28, 2004
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And then...you see your first Kasbah!
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This kasba of Glaoui, in a very bad condition, is built in a splendid site. Originally, ground villages (ksours, sing.: ksar) was built by nomad families having decided to settle. The absence of maintenance, erosion due to the sand winds or the driving rains could make turn over these marvellous buildings to their ground of origin.
Written Feb 28, 2004
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In addition to great landscapes, you will see some villages...the question is still in my mind, How can they construct that ?
On the picture :
The village of Taddert. After this hamlet, the road in lace rises towards Tizi-n-Tichka which, at an altitude of 2260 metres, is the highest pass of Morocco.
Updated Feb 28, 2004
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You will pass trought the High Atlas when driving to Ouarzazate.
On the picture :
Jbel Bou Ourioul (3573 metres) in the High Atlas. The Atlas is a crescent which stretches from the Aur?s to the secondary chains of the Tunisian dorsal. It is made of three parallel foldings: most imposing is the High Atlas, with Jbel Toubkal, which reaches 4167m. In north, the Middle Atlas culminates in Jbel Bou Naceur (3340m) and in the south the Anti Atlas culminates in Jbel Aklim (2531m).
Written Feb 28, 2004
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When you drive to Ouarzazate, you will see some wonderful landscapes. For the light hearth, bring some aspirin!!! There was 3 persons having some ? vomiting ? problem during the 4 hours bus trip.
On the picture :
The pass of Tizi-n-Tichka. Mountainous barriers, Mediterranean and oceanic influences, desert borders: Morocco enjoys many climates. If the temperatures remain mild in seaside, the interior of the country undergoes more the seasonal variations.
Written Feb 28, 2004
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The Taourirt Kasbah is the main thing to see in Ouarzazate. It was home to the early 20th century Glaoui dynasty and was one of the largest kasbahs in the region. You can wander round the courtyards and rooms of the old palace inside and also the living quarters of the hundreds of servants who stayed here. There's also a craft shop/museum and the old Jewish quarter (Mellah) is nearby.
Written Feb 12, 2004
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Reviews and photos of Ouarzazate attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Ouarzazate sightseeing.
The Taourirt Kasbah is the main thing to see in Ouarzazate. It was home to the early 20th century Glaoui dynasty and was one of the largest kasbahs in the...
9 members live in Ouarzazate
Q: urgently need opening hours to Taourirt Kasbah in Ouarzazate.
A: According to my notes made this year in April when I was there, it is open from 8.00 until 18.30. Cost is 10DH pp. There are guides inside the walled area. Not compulsory...
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