The Route of a Thousand Kasbahs
The Route of the Thousand Kasbahs, also known as the Route of the Strengths, is one of the greatest tourist attractions for all those who want to know Morocco in depth. Following the itinerary you will reach a multitude of cities, some better known for most people and others less, which allows you to discover exotic paradises and the way of life of the Berber people.
What are Kasbahs ?
The Kasbahs may sound like a strange and little known concept but it is not at all like that. In fact, in Spain you can find some examples of this type of construction that are still preserved today. The clearest example is, without a doubt, the Alcazaba de Málaga, but there are others in Almería, Granada or Mérida, for example. In short, it is a fortified construction, that is, an urban strength that served as the residence of the governor of a certain region and also served to defend the place. Therefore, inside it used to house a small military neighborhood that constituted a citadel.
The Route of the Thousand Kasbahs
The Route of the Thousand Kasbahs has its starting point in the city of Ouarzazate, which will also serves to put an end to visits to these Berber art monuments built in adobe and decorated with geometric motifs. In Ouarzazate is located the Kasbah of Taourirt and only about 30km northwest is the Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987 and should not be missing on the route by the Kasbahs. This Ksar has been the scene of filming of many famous films such as, “Lawrence of Arabia in 1962”, “Jesus of Nazareth in 1977”, “The Jewel of the Nile in 1985”, “The Mummy in 1999” and “Gladiator in 2000 ». It is also the place where some scenes of “Game of Thrones” took place.
Once the visit to the Ksar of Aït Ben Haddou is finished, the ideal is to head south-west, specifically, to the Citadel of Agdz, which is located over the Draâ valley. The spectacular oasis of almost 200 kilometers long connects with the city of M’Hamid where, in addition to enjoying various Kasbahs, you can discover some Ksour, high walls that hide some fortified villages inside.
The next mandatory stop is in the Dades Valley or 1000 Kasbahs Valley. There is N’Kob, a city with up to 52 Kasbahs and a beautiful palm grove. To the east is Erfoud, a place known for the abundance and quality of dates. Subsequently, from Tinghir, you can enjoy the Todra Gorges that have walls that rise to 300 meters. Boulmane and his Kasbah Tizzarouine is another that you can’t miss.
The valley of the Roses, well known for the manufacture of rose water that takes place in it, is the last visit of the Route of the Thousand Kasbahs before returning to Ouarzazate. Here is Kelaât M’Gouna and Skoura, cities that have many Kasbahs surrounded by palm groves that make up an incomparable landscape.