Taroudant, Walled market city in Souss region, Morocco
Taroudant is a walled city surrounded by around 8 kilometers of red-earth ramparts with two central squares housing traditional markets and nine entrance gates. The high walls shape the city's character and create a clear separation between the busy interior and the surrounding landscape.
The city served as capital of the Saadi dynasty in the 16th century, when they built the massive earthen walls that still define the place today. These fortified structures have endured for centuries and remain central to the city's character.
The weekly souk outside the city walls brings together artisans selling leather goods, textiles, and ceramics using methods passed down through families. These markets are meeting places where locals gather, showing how traditional craftsmanship remains woven into everyday life.
The city sits at about 240 meters elevation and connects to major Moroccan cities through regional roads. Visitors should allow time to walk the narrow streets and wear comfortable shoes, especially when exploring the markets and paths along the walls.
The city is home to traditional leather tanneries where craftsmen work hides in open-air workshops using methods unchanged for centuries. These old techniques are rarely seen elsewhere and offer a rare glimpse into handwork practices that have vanished in most places.
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