History of Marrakesh
Marrakesh (or Marrakech), sometimes called the red town because of the red Kasbah wall surrounding the medina, was founded in 1062. Youssef bin Tashufin, cousin to the sultan began construction of the city. Under his watch, houses were built and a mosque begun....Moroccan Koranic Schools
In rural areas, villages have their own schools. The villagers choose the teacher, dubbed the fqih. He is provided with the provisions necessary for living in the village instead of money. The fqih is an important part of the village. He is seen as an advisor to the...Sahara’s Door, Erfoud in Morocco
Located on the Ziz River, it is different than most Moroccan villages. It does not have century-old buildings, but was instead built in the early 1900s by the French as an administrative headquarters. Buildings are made of red sand of the area mixed with lime. The...No Place Like Sunny Agadir
Agadir was founded in medieval times as a fishing village. In the 1500s, the Portuguese established a trading post known as Santa Cruz de Cabo de Gue. Coming under control of the Wattasid in the latter part of the 1500s, a fortified Kasbah was built and thereafter...Ouarzazate, The Southern Delight
Ouarzazate is a popular spot to film movies in Morocco. Many well known movies, such as, Cleopatra, Kundun, Gladiator, and many others were filmed on location here. The Palace of Glaoui, the highest spot in the city has been is a popular spot for movie makers. The...Moroccan Handicrafts and Souks
Larger cities have medinas and souks are central marketplaces, usually in the center of the medina. Larger souks, such as those in the Fez medina, house shops of textiles, spices, furniture, rugs, and jewelry. Moroccan artists and artisans ply their wares and talents...Hiking the Rif Mountains
The Rif are known for their steep cliffs. The highest of the Rif Mountains is Jebel Tidiquin which stands at 2448 meters. Only small villages are found within the mountains, while small cities of Tetouan and Chefchaouen in the west and Al-Hoceima to the north can be...Making History, Tangier Morocco
Tangier, as it is called today, has been under Roman rule, in first Century BCE. Along came the Vandals, who started their move across Africa from here. Between the fourth and fifth centuries, Tangier was part of the Byzantine Emipire. The Arabs arrived in the early...Casablanca, A Diverse Metropolis
Founded in the seventh century by the Berbers, and it remained a small independent country known as Anfa, until the Almoravids conquered it in 1068. Merinids took over in the fourteenth century and she gained importance as port city. The Portuguese destroyed the...The Different Regions of the Atlas Mountains
The High Atlas, often referred to as the Morocco’s Atlas Mountains, forms a sort of wall that keeps precipitation localized to certain valleys. The Draa Valley and the Ourika Valley are two regions that receive an ample supply of rainfall annually, which results...Berber Culture on the Rise in Morocco
With the solidarity and popularity of the Berber culture within the last decade, a Berber TV channel is Morocco’s next media project. Over the last few years, the popularity of Berber culture has been on the rise. From Berber-language news and movies on the local RTM...Battling Knee-High Insurgency in Morocco
Want to know how to travel safely in Morocco? Read Chris’ tale of survival during an “insurgent attack”. All I wanted was to buy a Berber rug. The last thing I expected was to be the focal point of a terrorist plot. The reports of terrorism in...Morocco Travel Guides
Favorite Morocco Guidebooks
Written and photographed by JBT Director, Lucas Peters, the 4th edition of Moon Morocco is a detailed, full-colored country guidebook. Guaranteed to inspire travel lust, this edition is a wonderful companion for you while you’re in the planning stages or already in-country.
The 1st edition of Marrakesh & Beyond is a handy pocket-sized traveler. A complimentary guidebook to Moon Morocco, this guide dives deeper into the mysterious souks of the famed “Red City.” With a detailed shopping guide, handy fold-out map, and itineraries for day-tripping from Marrakesh, Lucas brings us another great resource for Morocco!
