El Bestioun Taza, Military fort in Taza, Morocco
El Bestioun Taza is a square fortification in the old medina of Taza with sides measuring 26 meters and walls rising about 8 meters high. The structure demonstrates the solid construction needed to defend this mountainous location.
The fortification was built in the 16th century as part of Taza's military defense line to protect the strategic mountain pass between the Rif and Middle Atlas ranges. It served as an important post for monitoring and controlling trade traffic through this mountain region.
The fortification represents traditional Moroccan military architecture, incorporating local construction techniques and materials common to the northern region of Morocco.
You can best reach the fortification on foot from the old city by following the ancient city walls. The rocky location requires comfortable shoes and caution on uneven ground.
What makes this fort special is its location at the Taza Pass, one of the few natural passages between northern and southern Morocco. This bottleneck made the spot a control point for anyone crossing the region for centuries.
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