Go on a treasure hunt around Tata
Journey from Agadir: 4 hours 20 mins / 255 km (car)
2 very nice visits to plan: Isserghine Granary and Granary / Ksar of Tiskmoudine which surrounds it.
The Akka Ighane Oasis is located to the northeast of Tata (70 km) and can be accessed by heading in the direction of Tissint. You will find, in the middle of this oasis, an old village with exceptional architecture whose access is marked by a restored monumental door.
How to get there:
From Tata, take the N12 road (east). You will reach Akka Ighane in 1 hour (70 km). There are many possibilities for accommodation in Akka N’Ait Sidi and Tissint. On the return journey, you will find on the P1743 road leading to the Oasis of Akka Ighane the magnificent fortified villages of Tissekmoudine (29.963018, -7.551340) and Agadir Aserghine (29.948410, -7.565535).
Akka was once known as a political and religious center near the mining and caravan city of Tamdoult (a large city founded in the 9th century by the Idrissids and destroyed in the 14th century) which organized the trans-Saharan trade in precious metals.
- Agadir Ouzrou is a fortified village built on a rocky cliff overlooking the palm grove and the dry oued. This citadel, surrounded by a wall ten meters high, is located 5 kilometers from the center of Akka. The renovation work carried out, respecting ancestral know-how, highlights the architectural and historical value of the Agadir Ouzrou site. Today, this monument is the pride of the locals and was part of a project nominated for the Architecture Prize – Aga Khan.
- Lalla Baytou Allah Mosque In Ait Rahal north of Akka (on the road to Imitek) where you can admire the magnificent minaret that takes you back to the time of the Almohad dynasty (12th century).
How to get there:
From Tata, take the N12 towards Akka. When you arrive in Akka, take an immediate right. You will arrive in front of Agadir Ouzro (29.419414, -8.247846) that you can see on the cliff to your right. Following this same road for 7 km, turn left at the crossroads to go to the Minaret (29.435706, -8.267209) of the Lalla Baytou Allah mosque.
Tissint is a small town located 70 kilometers east of Tata, towards the Oasis of Foum Zguid south of Ouarzazate. It was a stage frequented by the caravans which transported goods towards Marrakech. The Tissint Oasis always offered them sought-after salt water.
In Tissint, you will find the house of Charles de Foucauld where he came as an explorer at the beginning of his life. He chose Morocco as his destination, a country forbidden to Christians and still very little known at that time. To enter Morocco, he pretended to be a Jew. His journey began in June 1883 with a rabbi and lasted a year. He brought with him all his equipment necessary for his expedition that he hid on his mule. During his travels, he noted in his notebook, remarked and sketched the the things he witnessed.
Charles de Foulcaud was the first European to explore the High Atlas. He then arrived in Tissint where he would stay for several weeks in the Jewish quarter of the medina. In 1888, the quality of his work earned him the gold medal from the Geographical Society, and great fame following the publication of “Reconnaissance au Maroc” where he praised Tissint.
How to get there:
From Tata, take the N12 road (east). You will arrive in Tissint in 1 hour (70 km). There are many possibilities for accommodation in Akka N’Ait Sidi and Tissint.
The kasbahs are the dwelling place of the lords. In the beginning, they were built within the ksour; subsequently, they were planted directly in the palm groves. It is in fact a large quadrilateral with thick adobe walls including towers. The interior is a series of enclosures and courtyards.
The ksour are fortified villages. The territory of Tata enjoys several ksours such as Indfiane and Agadir Lehna. The latter is considered the most spectacular both for its architecture and for its fame and heritage.
