Taza (Tifinagh: , Arab: تازة) is a city of the Morocco of 144.000 inhabitants (in 2004), which occupies the corridor between the Rif and the Moyen Atlas. It is located at an altitude of 550 Mr.

History

Taza developed around the strengthened convent built by the Berbère S at the 10th century. Its strategic position between the Rif and the Atlas, made of it a military fortified town coveted by the people come from the east, eager to conquer the Moroccan grounds. Taza passed in turn to the hands of the dynasties which reached the head of Morocco.

In 1074 the sultan Almoravide Youssef Ibn Tachfin takes the city. Taza remains under its authority throughout the 11th century then is removed in 1132 by the sultan Almohade Abd Al-Mumin and is declared capital provisional of the Morocco.

To fight against Marine Banû of the Zénètes originating in the areas présahariennes which will found the dynasty of the Mérinides later fifty years, the sultan Almohade makes raise a wall around the médina. Powerful the rampart will be reinforced at the 14th century by the Mérinides, then at the 16th century by the Saadien S. At the 17th century, to open the doors of Fès, Moulay er-Rachid seizes Taza. He will become the first sultan of the Dynastie alaouite, always places from there today.

In 1902, Rogui Bou Hamara ( Rogui : claiming with the throne, Bou Hamara the man with the she-ass), notable of the court of the sultan Abd el-Aziz, returns under a false identity to Morocco after an exile in Algérie. It is made pass for the brother of the sultan (Moulay Me hammed) and is made proclaim sultan with Taza. Under cover of piles feelings, it leads the Berbère S of the area to revolt against the true sultan. Bou Hamara remains Master of the city during seven years. After having sold to the Spaniards concession minings, it loses the support of the tribes of the mountain. It is captured in 1909 then delivered to the deer, shot and burned in Fès on order of the sultan Moulay Abd Al-Hafid.

In accordance with the treaty signed on March 30th, 1912, Taza is placed under Protectorat French on May 10th, 1914 and remains under its influence until independence.

Monuments

The principal artery of the old city is animated by the Market with the Grains and the Souk S where the plaits, the carpets, the jewels are sold, and all kinds of Berber artisanal objects manufactured in the mountains. It ends in a place of weapons at the bottom of which the Mosque of the Andalusians rises, whose minaret built at the 12th century is broader in its high part than at its base.

The street Bab el-qebbour crosses Kissaria, then led to the Mosque of the Market where it joined Bab Jamaa, the main entrance of Taza. More in the south, contrary to bab el-Rih, the door of the wind, a bastion of the 16th century, the Casbah closes. The ramparts of Taza, built at the 12th century and, several times reinforced, were equipped in XVIe century, by the Saadien Ahmed el-Mansour, of a borj of 26 side m, to which the door with harrow and the surmounted casemates of terraces testify to a very clear European influence.

Neighborhood of Taza

Created in 1950 on an initial surface of 680 hectares, the National park of Tazekka had as a main aim to protect the natural resources from Jbel Tazekka, an eminence of 1980 m which dominates the area.

Pit Friouato

It is one of the most important pits of the area. The speleologists and the adventurers will admire the width and the wonders of its many rooms, which supplement these various natural landscapes of the National park of Tazekka.

Bouiblane

The jbel Bouiblane is covered with snow for at least six months per annum. It is without any doubt the most snow-covered area of Morocco, in duration and quantity of snow.

The construction of tourist equipment will be allowed according to a plan of mass approved by lawful way which fixes the provision, the general establishment, volumes of the buildings as well as the architectural and landscape character of the unit.

Short-nap cloth-El-My

The geographical location of Short-nap cloth-El-My (Short-nap cloth-El-Wadi) attractive, is characterized by the presence of mountainous reliefs (1100 m of altitude), of a source of water, of a wadi, cascades, forests and caves. It belongs to a tourist tour including several sites with tourist vocation: Sidi Majbeur, Bab to boudir, Maghraoua, Bab Azhar, Bouiblane…

Bab-Boudir

To 30 km of Taza, this center is classified by the cultural affairs as a built cultural heritage. It belongs to the national park of Tazekka. Presence of sources of water, forests and a mountainous relief. Presence of particular climatic conditions, snowfalls, rains and sunning.

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