Ksar of Taourirt, Fortified Berber village in Ouarzazate, Morocco.
The Ksar of Taourirt is a fortified settlement in the eastern part of Ouarzazate, built from mud bricks with detailed geometric patterns decorating its exterior walls. The site spreads across narrow streets and traditional courtyards that connect to an adjacent oasis.
This settlement emerged in the 17th century as the original core of Ouarzazate before the French Protectorate established a garrison town nearby. It served as the region's main administrative and trading hub until the city shifted its focus elsewhere.
The ksar once housed both a mosque and a synagogue, revealing how Muslim and Jewish communities shared this space for centuries. Today, you can still sense this shared history in how the buildings are arranged and how people move through the neighborhood.
The narrow streets here require comfortable walking shoes, as the paths are uneven and sometimes steep. It is best to visit early in the morning when it is cooler and less crowded.
The mud-brick walls were made from a mixture of earth, straw, and lime, a simple material that has lasted for centuries. Ongoing restoration work uses the same traditional techniques, keeping the craft alive for future generations.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
