Tetouan, history of the city

Tetouan city seems to have existed since the Arab conquest, it was known under the name of Tittawin which means water sources in Berber language.

Where to sleep in Tetouan?

Certain authors allot the foundation of this city to the Andalusian soufi Sidi Abdelkader Tabine which settled in Tetouan about 1148 and started to urbanize the site of Tetouan for the first time by the construction of a several residences, a mosque, shops and mills.

In 1286 Abou Youssef Ya' coub of the Merinides dynasty built the Kasbah of Tetouan which was used as a military base for the siege of Sebta.

In 1307, Abou Tabit an Emir of the same dynasty built a large suburb around this
Kasbah which was built by its predecessor.

Approximately in 1437 the city was destroyed, probably by the Portuguese of Sebta, it remains ruined and abandoned until the end of the XVth century when it was rebuilt.

According to many historical sources, the rebuilding of the city of Tetouan should be about 1492-93, just after the fall of Grenade. It was the work of Abou Al Hassan Ali Al Mandari an Andalusian refugee from the area of Grenade.

Just after its rebuilding in 1493 and while all the cities of the Mediterranean coast were occupied by the Portuguese and the Spanish, the city of Tetouan had become at the same time a Jihad base, a trade centre and one of the most famous piracy centres in the Mediterranean basin.

Parallel to these activities, the city continued to attract other migratory flows of Andalusian origin and was about to experience a great urban development as the creation of new districts which were grafted in the first formed core of Hay Al-Balad and Kasbah of Sidi Al-Mandri.

Ouarzazate, the cinema studios

Ouarzazate became the cinematographic centre of Morocco.

Where to sleep in Ouarzazate?

Many famous international productions were turned in this area: ' Lawrence of Arabia ', ' Gladiator ', ' a tea in the Sahara ', ' the Man which wanted to be a king ', ' the last temptation of Christ ', ' Asterix ', ' Kundun, and recently ' Alexander the great ', etc. The majority of films are carried out in the "Atlases Studios" you will not miss them if you arrive from Marrakesh, the 2 vast studios are located on your right, just in the entry of Ouarzazate.

PS: opened daily, except in turning period, 09:00 am to 06:00 pm.

Tangier, seen from above...

From the Charf Hill, a hundred meters high, the whole city comes under your sight, in the curve of its bay, from the Malabata cape in the east, to the old city and the Mountain in the west.

Où dormir à Tanger?

Lay under the hill trees, as often do some habitants of Tangiers, you can dream about the city, its myth, and its past as well as the numerous challenges it has to face...

Marrakech, le festival International du Film

Comme toutes les naissances, dans le monde peu amène du cinéma, la création du Festival International du Film de Marrakech avait suscité beaucoup d’interrogations et vu fuser les critiques. Avec le temps, la succession des éditions de cette manifestation prouve le bien-fondé de cette démarche audacieuse.

Où dormir à Marrakech ?

Le festival international de Marrakech est devenue une grande manifestation cinématographique capable de rivaliser avec les grands existant dans le monde du 7ème art, mais la ville de Marrakech a dés le départ affiché la couleur en donnant au festival de Marrakech une identité qui est celle de "l'ouverture et de la modernité".
Né en 2000, Cet événement solennel permet, au delà de son impact substantiel sur les plans économique et touristique, la création non seulement d'une plate-forme de
rencontres, d'échanges et de dialogue mais également une promesse de collaboration entre ceux qui font et aiment le 7ème art.
Le festival est organisé par la Fondation du festival international du film de Marrakech et présidé par SAR le Prince Moulay Rachid.

Safi, The medina

The oldest part of Safi, still keeps its ramparts...

Où dormir à Safi?

The medina is dominated from the East by the mass of the Keshla, the Portuguese citadel; close to the Great Mosque is located the ' Portuguese vault ', vestige of the cathedral of Safi.