Ouarzazate,Morocco

Ouarzazate was a small crossing point for African traders on their way to northern Morocco and Europe.[5] 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.[6][7]

During the French period, Ouarzazate expanded considerably as a garrison town, administrative center, and customs post. 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.

The area is also known for its Ouazguita carpets with geometric designs of red-orange on black background.

Kasbah Taourirt

According to oral traditions, the kasbah was first built in the 17th century by the Imzwarn, a powerful local family.[1] More certainly, however, the kasbah was taken over and expanded by the Glaoui family in the 19th century.[2][1] At the height of its importance in the late 19th century, the kasbah controlled an important location at the confluence of several river valleys – including the Draa and the Dadès – which were part of the Saharan trade routes.[1] One of the members of the Glaoui family, Thami El Glaoui, was famously the pasha of Marrakesh during the entirety of French colonial rule over Morocco in the 20th century.[3][4]

After the end of French colonial rule and the end of Glaoui control over the region, the kasbah was progressively taken over by squatters and began to decay.[1] A small part of the kasbah was restored in the 1990s with the help of UNESCO and is now open as a historical attraction.[5][3] Some unrestored areas of the kasbah are still inhabited by families today.[3] The kasbah has appeared in movies including Gladiator and Prince of Persia.[5]