Kasbah of Telouet

Name: Kasbah of Telouet
Address: Telouet, Telouet, Drâa-Tafilalet, Morocco

Near Aït Ben Haddou

The stronghold of the Glaoua, powerful allies of the Moroccan Sultans known as the “Lords of the Atlas

The village of Telouet lies in the magnificent Ounila Valley, on the southern slopes of the High Atlas Mountains, often crowned with snow in winter. This remote and striking valley attracted the attention of the French painter Jacques Majorelle in the early 20th century, who stayed there several times and drew inspiration for some of his most remarkable works.

Telouet is the ancestral stronghold of the Glaoua family, powerful local rulers who once dominated much of southern Morocco and were known as the “Lords of the Atlas”.

An architectural masterpiece between Amazigh tradition and Moorish refinement

The village is home to their former residence, the Kasbah of Telouet, an imposing structure built in the 19th century. Both palace and fortress, it symbolised power and prestige and served as a strategic command post controlling the ancient caravan routes linking the Sahara to Marrakech.

At its height, the Telouet kasbah was a vast architectural complex combining a fortress, a palace and a caravanserai. It blends traditional Amazigh earthen architecture with refined Hispano-Moorish and oriental influences, reflecting the splendour the Glaoua sought to project. Lavishly decorated walls, carved ceilings and intricate motifs still bear witness to the luxury in which the family lived, before the kasbah was abandoned in 1956.

From power and splendour to abandonment and survival

Today, the kasbah has been weakened by time, harsh climatic conditions and decades of neglect. Only the main residence and a few annexes remain relatively well preserved, offering visitors a glimpse into the skill of the craftsmen, the refinement of the former rulers and the daily life of those who once inhabited this remarkable place.

Following the powerful earthquake that struck Morocco in September 2023, the Telouet kasbah suffered significant damage and was temporarily closed to the public. After essential restoration work, this emblematic site is now open once again, allowing visitors to rediscover one of the most striking landmarks of southern Morocco’s architectural and historical heritage.

Activities

Admire the exterior façade, which still hints at the former grandeur and authority of the kasbah.
Visit the central rooms, where outstanding artisanal decorations reveal the refinement and craftsmanship of the period.
Explore the portrait gallery depicting the successive leaders of the Glaoua family.
Discover the former salt mine, located further along the valley, once a major source of wealth for the Glaoua.
Take in the panoramic views over the Ounila Valley, stretching as far as the ksar of Aït Ben Haddou.

Access

From Ouarzazate, take the RN9 road towards Marrakech. After approximately 22 km, turn left towards Aït Ben Haddou.
Continue along the paved road, passing the ksar of Aït Ben Haddou, and follow it through the Ounila Valley until you reach the village of Telouet.
The kasbah is located on the left-hand side at the entrance of the village.
From Marrakech, take the N9 towards Ouarzazate, crossing the Tizi n’Tichka Pass in the High Atlas.
Just after the pass on the southern (Ouarzazate) side — roughly 3–6 km after the col — turn off the N9 onto the road towards Telouet / Ounila Valley (often referenced as P1506 / RP1506, depending on maps).
Follow this paved scenic road through the Ounila Valley to Telouet; the kasbah is on the right-hand side, just as you leave the village of Telouet..