Ouarzazate

For a long time, Ouarzazate was a small crossing point for African traders on their way to northern Morocco and Europe.[1] In the 16th century, Sheikh Abu al-'Abaas Ahmed bin Abdellah al-Wizkiti al-Warzazi, emir of the qasba of Ouarzazate and father of Lalla Masuda, helped establish Saadi control over the Sous-Dra'a region.[2][3]

During the French period, Ouarzazate expanded considerably as a garrison town, administrative centre and customs post and a church (Eglise Saint Therese) was built in 1931.[4] It is home to the Kasbah Taourirt, which was the kasbah of the former caïd and later owned by T'hami El Glaoui. The Krupp field gun which secured Glaoui power is displayed outside the kasbah today.[citation needed]

The city was part of the route of the 2006 and 2007 Dakar Rally.[citation needed]

On 1 November 2023, Ouarzazate along with Casablanca joined UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network.[5][6]

^ "Visit Africa's Ouarzazate City, Morocco". visitafrica.site. Retrieved 2021-04-19. ^ "سيرة السيدة مسعودة الوزكيتية". وزارة الأوقاف والشؤون الإسلامية. June 24, 2019. Archived from the original on 2021-12-12. ^ مغرس مسعودة الوزكيتية .. الأميرة الحسنة Archived 23 December 2017 at the Wayback Machine ^ Anglade, Eric. "The Franciscan missionary sisters of Mary will no longer be looking after Ouarzazate". SudEstMaroc. Almaouja. Retrieved 15 December 2023. ^ "Moroccan Cities Casablanca and Ouarzazate Join UNESCO's Creative Cities Network". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. 2023-11-01. Retrieved 2023-11-11. ^ "55 new cities join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network on World Cities Day". Retrieved 31 October 2023.