Tourist Attractions & Monuments Morocco

A great classic of any trip to Morocco. The gorges are really superb. They extend from Tinghir to the village of Tamtatouchk, but the most spectacular part is at Tizgui, 14 km from Tinghir. At this place, two gigantic walls of pink granite face each other on nearly 300 m height, leaving just to the wadi Todra to accommodate its bed and tourists a small path to pass. Contrary to appearances, the cars pass. The water is absolutely clear, and you can go up the course of the wadi during beautiful excursions in the High Atlas. Just before and after the entrance to the gorges, a few hotels invite you to linger in the splendor of the site, although the invasion of concrete in this wonder of nature is regrettable. You can climb the wide, steep walls of the gorge, but for safety reasons we recommend that you bring your own equipment.
After the gorges, the tar continues to Tamtatouchk, where inns are beginning to be established, and even to Aït Hani, 52 km from Tinghir. Cars of tourists and nuisances of incessant constructions inside the gorges spoil a little the spectacle... but are the proof of its value! We therefore advise you to visit the gorges in the early morning or late afternoon. A Frenchman, Julio, who runs the guesthouse Secret Garden, organizes climbing trips and rents out equipment in excellent condition. He has created a via ferrata and re-equipped many routes in the area.

Great mosaic where Bacchus is perfectly preserved. On the other hand, it is only Distingue's legs, and a single leg of Ariane. One of the most touching mosaics.

Animals, hunters and weapons, appearing on numerous rock engravings, can be seen on this site inhabited in prehistoric times. Ask an inhabitant of the village, he will be happy to show them to you. Oukaïmeden is the westernmost part of the National Park of rock engravings inaugurated in 1994. The Igountar side is one of the sites known for its concentration of paintings. The park includes Jebel Yagour, where you can see many geometric patterns from the Bronze Age. It extends to the province of Azilal in the east.

The location could not have been better chosen to install the first museum specialising in woodworking arts and crafts: an old 18th century caravanserai, magnificently restored and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On the three levels, one discovers the know-how and dexterity of the craftsmen through several examples of use of Moroccan woods, on different themes. On the first floor, masterpieces of Fassie cabinet making are on display. Possibility to have a drink on the terrace, which reveals a beautiful view of the medina.

In this one-hectare bio-aromatic garden, you will discover about fifty species of aromatic, medicinal and ornamental plants grown mainly in the region. Situated at an altitude of 840 m, it was created in 1998 by two Moroccan brothers with a passion for plants and cosmetics. Visits are organized to get to know or recognize these different plants and to become better acquainted with their medical, aromatic and cosmetic uses.

This vast residence, once three storeys high, is accessed through two sections of stone walls topped by a slab to form a doorway, to the left of which is engraved the inscription: Maison d'Orphée. The atrium is on the right, and the main mosaic shows Orpheus charming animals (elephant, horse) with his lyre. Unfortunately, this mosaic is not complete and part of the circle has been covered with cement. On the left as you enter, a beautiful complete mosaic representing nine dancing dolphins.

One of the best preserved mosaics, always on the left along the Decumanus.

The square was the administrative heart of the French city during the protectorate period. In the centre of it once stood the equestrian statue of Marshal Lyautey. It was unrolled in 1956, on Independence Day, to be placed in front of the French consulate where it is still located today. Its administrative buildings in the neo-Moorish style combine all the elements of traditional Moroccan arts with the functional characteristics of European architecture: zellige, ironwork, marble... They give this square a beautiful architectural unity and frame a square where men rest and chat at any time of the day, in the shade of the ficus trees.

Built at the beginning of the twentieth century by one of the French architects who marked urban planning in Morocco during the protectorate, Adrien Laforgue is the author of several emblematic buildings, Saint Peter's Cathedral (Hassan District in Rabat), Rabat station in downtown, and the General Treasury. The beautiful facade of a deep blue and green zelligar, mixing geometric and floral ornamentation, is noted at the outset. inside, men and women are waiting for their turn, sitting under a superb cedar ceiling with a large central brass chandelier. Behind the marble counters, we will look at the beautiful yellow clock to the very Art Deco typography.

This riad is a jewel of Moroccan architecture. The building, which dates from the 17th century, was restored by three friends who fell in love with the place and decided to open it to the public. You will be able to discover many exhibitions on Moroccan music and instruments, but also the history of its meticulous restoration. It also houses the Mellakh Foundation. Abdellay Mellakh is a painter who finds his way at the crossroads of figurative, abstract and symbolism. He was born, grew up and established his first studio in this house.

The mausoleum is located a few dozen meters above the main square. Take the alley that passes under an arch. At the entrance, the beam (about 1.50 m above the ground) reminds you that you should not venture any further if you are not a Muslim and forces you to bow as a sign of respect if you are. The mausoleum was restored in the 19th century by Moulay Abd er-Rahman. Hassan II donated the gold and silk fabric on which the coffin was built in 1978.

This cemetery with its bright white tombs is a moving visit. It contains, among others, the mausoleums of great rabbis and a saint, as well as the graves of 600 victims of the 1932 plague. The cemetery has a peaceful atmosphere that is rarely disturbed by visitors. At the back of the cemetery, you will find a museum created by Edmond Gabay, an enthusiast who has collected many souvenirs from Jewish families in Fez. Do not hesitate to come and meet him, he has his workshop just a few steps away. A small contribution is welcome.

Borj Nord faces its twin of the Southern part of town. Built in 1582 by Saadien Ahmed el-Mansour, the building was modified in the alaouite dynasty; the four corners have been equipped with salient corners in the spearhead shape, allowing a more efficient defence. Perfectly preserved, Borj houses a very interesting museum where you can discover a collection of weapons of time. It was transferred from the Batha museum in 1963, and most of the weapons have come from Makina, a manufacturing plant of weapons founded in Fès in the 19th century by the sultan Moulay Rachid. Thus the museum offers a chronological of the different types of armaments throughout its history, the age of the stone in the 20th century.

This door, at the northern end of the medina, gives an entrance door of the medieval castle, with its crenellated towers. It offers a breathtaking view of the valley below.