Ouarzazate: Kasbah, Arts and Crafts, and Film History

Ouarzazate brings together a historic kasbah, carpet-making, crafts, and film history. These varied themes offer different perspectives on the city: from architecture and ornamentation to film sets and regional landscapes. Ouarzazate is also a central hub for a large area in southern Morocco and has an international airport. When looking for a holiday rental, you can therefore first consider whether you are mainly interested in the city's sights or would also like to explore the wider geographical area of Ouarzazate Province.

Kasbah Taourirt: Architecture in the Heart of the City

Kasbah Taourirt, a historic landmark of the city, stands in the centre of Ouarzazate. Its construction probably dates back to the 17th century. Features that remain include an urban-style reception room, a courtyard, and ornamental façades. The interior, courtyard, and exterior façade give the complex distinct architectural accents that bring its history to life. The northeastern section was restored and opened to visitors in 1996. This date is part of the kasbah's history and should be distinguished from its construction history.

Arts and Crafts and Carpet Weaving

The Ouarzazate arts and crafts complex is located near Kasbah Taourirt. It houses six workshops producing sculptures from alabaster, High Atlas stones, petrified rock, wood, and copper, as well as jewellery. An exhibition room is dedicated to carpets from the Ait Ouaouzguit and Hanbal tribes; the complex also includes a women's carpet-weaving cooperative. Sculptural works in a range of materials sit alongside the textile tradition of carpet weaving. Those interested in design will find a different aspect of the city here than at the kasbah: crafts and a variety of materials rather than architectural history and façade ornamentation.

Film History Between Museum and Studios

The Ouarzazate Cinema Museum covers two hectares and houses several film sets related to biblical history and major films shot in the region. The Ouarzazate Film Museum was officially opened on 30 July 2007. Atlas Corporation Studios are located five kilometres from the city entrance and were founded in 1983. Films have been shot at Atlas Studios since 1984, including The Jewel of the Nile, Gladiator, Babel, and Kundun. The museum and studios have different focuses: the museum highlights film sets and their cinematic themes, while the studios showcase film history through specific production titles.

The Wider Geographical Area: Ouarzazate Province

Beyond the city, Ouarzazate Province offers a landscape on a different scale. Its eastern Anti-Atlas foothills encompass vast stony plains and valleys cut through by major gorges. High, sheer rock faces define the landscape in the southern foothills of the Central High Atlas; Jbel Azourki reaches 3,685 metres. These regional landscapes differ markedly from Ouarzazate's urban cultural attractions and broaden the view to include the province, without equating them with the sights in the city centre.

The river network of Ouarzazate Province is also part of this picture: the Dades, Ouarzazate, and Ait Douchen rivers and their tributaries together form the upper Drâa Basin. The Mansour Eddahbi Lake is used by migratory and breeding bird species, including the Bonelli's eagle, as well as other birds of prey, songbirds, and larks. Thus, the region's natural landscape includes not only plains, valleys, and cliffs, but also rivers and a lake that plays a role for various bird species.

Which Location Suits Your Travel Plans?

If you are looking for a holiday rental in Ouarzazate, your preferred focus can help guide your choice. Kasbah Taourirt, arts and crafts, and film history define the city's attractions; the landscapes and natural features of Ouarzazate Province broaden the view to a larger region. Consider whether you want to focus your trip mainly on the city's sights and cultural themes or include the region's diversity as an additional focus.

Discover more destinations: Ifri, Tarmigte, Sidi Mbarek, Tamraght, Tamegroute, Imsouane, Tiout, Tiguissas.

See the regional travel overview: Souss-Massa-Draa.