Ouarzazate Province: Atlas Landscapes, Oases and Film History
Accommodation in Ouarzazate Province
Stony plains, valleys cut through by gorges, a large palm oasis and distinctive kasbahs give Ouarzazate Province its varied character. The region also has places with a film history and a solar energy complex. When choosing a holiday rental for your trip, you can consider whether you would most like to explore the landscape, cultural history or the different themes surrounding Ouarzazate.
Atlas Landscapes and River Basins
The eastern foothills of the Anti-Atlas in the province include vast stony plains and valleys cut through by major gorges. In the south of the Central High Atlas, high, sheer rock walls define the foothills; Jbel Azourki reaches 3,685 metres. These landscapes are strikingly different: open plains and deep-cut valleys contrast with the steep cliffs of the mountains.
Water is also part of the province’s geography. The Dades, Ouarzazate and Ait Douchen rivers, together with their tributaries, form the upper Drâa Basin. Migrating or breeding bird species can be found at Lake Mansour Eddahbi. These include the Bonelli’s eagle, as well as other birds of prey, songbirds and larks. Those interested in landscapes and birdlife will find a different focus here than at the historic buildings and cultural sites.
Palm Oasis and Cultural Heritage
Skoura is an inhabited, agricultural palm oasis covering 25 square kilometres and containing approximately 138,000 palm trees. The combination of settlement, agriculture and palm groves makes it a striking contrast to the province’s stony plains and high cliffs.
The Kasbah of Taourirt has existed since the 12th century and was once the residence of Pasha el Glaoui. It has been recognised as national cultural heritage since 1953. Its crenellated towers and cedarwood ceilings give the building distinctive architectural features. In Telouet, another kasbah tells a story of the region’s caravan history: the 19th-century citadel combined a prestigious residence with military command functions along the caravan route. For centuries, the village of Telouet was an important transit point for caravans, which had to pay customs duties to the Glaoui tribe.
Film, Crafts and New Energy
Film is also one of the province’s themes. The Ouarzazate Film Museum officially opened on 30 July 2007. It features film sets related to biblical history and to major films shot in the region. The ksar of Ait Ben Haddou also served as a set for major international film productions. If you are especially interested in film history, these places offer a different focus from a day centred mainly on landscapes or historic architecture.
Another cultural experience is a visit to the Ouarzazate handicrafts complex. It has six workshops: working with alabaster, High Atlas stones, fossilised stones, wood, copper and jewellery. The Grand Bazaar of Taourirt offers Moroccan handicrafts, including carpets, ceramics, copperware and woodwork, antiques, and various accessories. Ait-Ouaouzguit carpets are produced in Taznakht, Tamassin, At Semgane, Ait Ougharda, Ait Douchen, Znaga and Sektana.
Technology is another part of the region’s range of attractions: the NOOR solar complex brings together the four Noor I, Noor II, Noor III and Noor IV solar power plants. The NOOR complex also includes an exhibition-style building with an exhibition space and auditorium, as well as an observation tower. Ouarzazate itself is a central hub for a large area in southern Morocco and has an international airport.
When deciding on your trip, you can consider which of these aspects of the province appeals to you most: Atlas landscapes and river basins, the palm oasis, architectural history, crafts, or film and energy. For further orientation, you can also visit the pages for Skoura, M'semrir and Toundoute.
For the broader travel overview: Souss-Massa-Draa.
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