makems
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- Sep 23, 2011
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- 2010-2017
While at Agdz last week we toured the Kasbah with the owner Aziz. What an interesting tour as the Kasbah belongs to his family and has done for generations so his stories really bring things to life.
If anybody stays at the site in Agdz it's worth going on the tour. This is No 119 in the Vicarious Guide (Note: It comes AFTER No 120 in the book!)
Aziz's grandfather was Caid (tribal leader) who remained loyal to King Mohammed V in the 40s/50s when he was exiled after Thami El Glaoui or Lord of the Atlas, (Pasha of Marrakech) conspired with the French.
Despite being jailed twice the Caid stayed true to the King who returned tot eh country in 1955 when the French realised they had cocked up the whole country. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thami_El_Glaoui#Dethronement if you're interested in the history)
However the grandfather died before putting in writing who was to succeed him as Caid so there was no following Caid.
The Kasbah fell into serious ruin and large parts of it remain so. Aziz has restored some important parts taking many years to do so with the help of a German chap who has organised annual work parties to carry out the important structural work. Most of the current work is to complete the interior decoration.
1. A view from the "garden" where the motorhomes are parked
2. A photo of a photo of the Riad before restoration. The Riad is the recption courtyard where the Caid would grant audience and receive guests.
3. The Riad now.
4. The Riad from above. There are rooms all around the perimeter which Aziz rents out.
5. A view of the rear of the, Kasbah. This is 4 separate photos stitched together to give an idea of the scale of the place. In the centre is a part that has been restored by one of Aziz's cousins using modern materials (Aziz only uses traditional materials and techniques on his own part of the Kasbah). Thje the right you can see parts that are still in complete ruin.
If anybody stays at the site in Agdz it's worth going on the tour. This is No 119 in the Vicarious Guide (Note: It comes AFTER No 120 in the book!)
Aziz's grandfather was Caid (tribal leader) who remained loyal to King Mohammed V in the 40s/50s when he was exiled after Thami El Glaoui or Lord of the Atlas, (Pasha of Marrakech) conspired with the French.
Despite being jailed twice the Caid stayed true to the King who returned tot eh country in 1955 when the French realised they had cocked up the whole country. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thami_El_Glaoui#Dethronement if you're interested in the history)
However the grandfather died before putting in writing who was to succeed him as Caid so there was no following Caid.
The Kasbah fell into serious ruin and large parts of it remain so. Aziz has restored some important parts taking many years to do so with the help of a German chap who has organised annual work parties to carry out the important structural work. Most of the current work is to complete the interior decoration.
1. A view from the "garden" where the motorhomes are parked
2. A photo of a photo of the Riad before restoration. The Riad is the recption courtyard where the Caid would grant audience and receive guests.
3. The Riad now.
4. The Riad from above. There are rooms all around the perimeter which Aziz rents out.
5. A view of the rear of the, Kasbah. This is 4 separate photos stitched together to give an idea of the scale of the place. In the centre is a part that has been restored by one of Aziz's cousins using modern materials (Aziz only uses traditional materials and techniques on his own part of the Kasbah). Thje the right you can see parts that are still in complete ruin.