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The south of Morocco is the land of the Sahara.
Here, where life is only possible in oases and Kasbahs, these words,
synonymous with water, have a magical ring. At Quarzazate, scarcely
200km from Marrakesh but in a different world, you stand on the
threshold of the mighty Sahara. Standing on the edge of a vast desert
plateau, with snow-covered peaks visible in the distance, this ancient
garrison town retains an almost tangible connection with a distant
past.
The nearby Kasbah Taourirt is one of the most impressive
of its kind in Morocco. Its tightly packed houses and stately towers,
made of a mixture of chalk and sand, melt almost imperceptibly into
the surrounding red and ochre-coloured landscape. Like cubes of
clay, the dwellings hide away from the unrelenting sun-a narrow
doorway being the only connection with the outside world. Light
and air come in through the central courtyard. Yet the harsh desert
can also be generous; at the oases of Skoura an annual harvest of
4000 tons of roses is grown on the fringes of immeasurable expanses
of sand.
Situated on the eastern edge of Quarzazate, this
labyrinthine Kasbah reflects the famous, ochre-coloured style of
southern Morocco. In doing everything humanly possible to offer
a haven from the scorching sun, its creators have produced a living
monument of great charm and character.
In contrast to the hustle and bustle of other parts
of Morocco, the plazas of Quarzazate, with their cafés, bazaars
and craft shops, are remarkably spacious and relaxed. A good place
to sit and watch the world go by.
If you're into the stunning architecture and mystic
beauty of southern Morocco's Kasbah villages, they don't come any
better than this. About 28 kilometres northwest of Quarzazate, this
village is recognised as a gem by fashion photographers, film directors
and visitors alike.
Rare in such arid surroundings, this man-made lake
contrasts with the stern rocks and bright blue skies. Although visible
from the town, the most dramatic views of the lake are to be had
from about ten kilometres further east.
Just west of Quarzazate are unusual attractions
in the form of a small zoological garden and the walled enclosure
of Atlas Studios, which used the striking surroundings in many of
its films.
In contrast to the tightly packed houses of the
Kasbah villages, life in such oasis settlements as Finnt, about
ten kilometres south of Quarzazate, is characterised more by open
space and contact with nature.
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