The village of Telouet is located in the magnificent Ounila Valley, at the foot of the majestic snow-capped Atlas Mountains. This valley attracted the attention of the French painter Jacques Majorelle at the beginning of the 20th century, who stayed there several times to create some of his most beautiful paintings.
It is the ancestral territory of the Glaoua, the former chiefs who once ruled over the entire southern region and were known as the “Lords of the Atlas.”
Telouet houses their residence, a splendid kasbah built in the 19th century. It’s a citadel symbolizing strength and prestige, which once served as both a lordly residence and a military command post for controlling the caravan route and the entire region.
The Telouet kasbah was an impressive complex: a fortress, a palace, and a caravanserai. This fascinating jewel blends typical Amazigh architecture with a more oriental, Hispano-Moorish style, reflecting the grandeur the former masters wanted to display to the world. The beautifully decorated walls and ceilings adorned with rich designs and motifs showcase the luxury in which the Glaoua lived, owners of the kasbah abandoned since 1956.
Today, the Telouet kasbah succumbs to climatic vagaries and oblivion. Only the main residence and a few annexes remain fairly well-preserved, welcoming the curious gazes of visitors, revealing the finesse of artisans, the refinement of the former masters, and the way of life of the inhabitants who once lived there.
During the earthquake that struck Morocco in September 2023, the Telouet kasbah suffered significant damage, requiring the temporary closure of the site to the public. Only the exterior facades can be admired.
southeast-morocco.com
