Ouarzazat

Hollyood of Morocco

Welcome to Ourarzazat.

Ouarzazate is a city south of Morocco’s High Atlas mountains, known as a gateway to the Sahara Desert. Its huge Taourirt Kasbah, home to a 19th-century palace, has views over the rugged local landscape, which features in several movies. Northwest is the fortified red-earth city of Aït Ben Haddou. Northeast is the rocky Todra Gorge. A road winds southeast through the Draa Valley’s lush palm groves to the desert.

Hollywood of Africa.

History

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For a long time, Ouarzazate was a small crossing point for African traders on their way to northern Morocco and Europe.^[2] In the 16th century, Sheikh Abu al-‘Abaas Ahmed bin Abdellah al-Wizkiti al-Warzazi, emir of the qasba of Ouarzazate and father of Lalla Masuda, helped establish Saadi control over the Sous–Dra’a region.^[3][4]

Ouarzazate was home to a thriving Jewish community. In 1954, about 170 Jews lived in the Mellah.^[5] The “Old Synagogue”, a synagogue said to be nearly 300 years old, is located in Ouarzazate.^[6] There is also a Jewish cemetery, which is no longer in use.^[7]

During the French period, Ouarzazate expanded considerably as a garrison town, administrative centre and customs post and a church (Eglise Saint Therese) was built in 1931.^[8] It is home to the Kasbah Taourirt, which was the kasbah of the former caïd and later owned by T’hami El Glaoui. The Krupp field gun which secured Glaoui power is displayed outside the kasbah today.^{[citation needed]}

The city was part of the route of the 2006 and 2007 Dakar Rally.^{[citation needed]}

The nearby Ouarzazate solar power station, co-funded by the Arab League,^[9] was connected to the Moroccan power grid in February 2016.^[10][11]

On 1 November 2023, Ouarzazate along with Casablanca joined UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network.^[12][13]

Geography

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Ouarzazate is at an elevation of 1,160 metres (3,810 ft)^{[citation needed]} in the middle of a bare plateau south of the High Atlas Mountains, with a desert to the city’s south

• Exploring ancient ruins, historical landmar.
• Immersive cultural experiences, local.
• Hiking, trekking, extreme sports, and out.
• A romantic destination like Paris, Venice.
• Kid-friendly activities, theme parks family.
• Premium accommodations, gourmet.