Maroc Architecture Traditionnelle -07- (2020) Painting by Abderrahim El Asraoui

Moroccan architecture presents an architectural diversity which draws its roots in Hispano-Moorish art. This covers the forms taken by Islamic art in the Iberian Peninsula between the 8th and 14th centuries, under the reign of the Umayyad caliphs of Syria, then under the domination of the Berber Almoravid and Almohad civilizations. Morocco is considered, with regard to its architectural heritage, as being one of the richest in the region. Indeed this variety lies in the multitude of influences that the country has known throughout history. Thus, each region is characterized by its own signature. And we wouldn't be surprised if you fell in love with its riads and kasbahs! Everyone agrees that Morocco is the crossroads of the Arab East and the Western Mediterranean, represented by Andalusia and that the different artistic forms of Arab-Muslim art find their full development in traditional architecture. Moroccan. Indeed, architecture allows artists and craftsmen to create magnificent masterpieces. If the models of the city tend to invade the architecture of the countryside, the rural world has an artistic expression of its own (blue houses of Chefchaouen). The architecture is refined and very ornamental, it first characterizes the art of Morocco. In the imperial cities, it is also the reflection of a history rich in events. The world of the arts brings its contribution to the knowledge of the Moroccan artistic history. Behind the fortifications of Taroudant, Meknes, Fez and Marrakech, Moroccan art and architecture were built through a succession of rivalries and conflicts in the medinas and the souks, in the casbahs, the mosques and behind the heavy residential doors of the sovereigns. The basic characteristics of riads are common to several cities in the Arab-Muslim world. The structure is almost the same: an interior courtyard, often surrounded by a garden, which constitutes the very heart of the building. It is around this space that the different rooms are articulated which, most of the time, do not communicate with each other. Even the windows overlook this courtyard, leaving no contact with the outside, for several reasons. Security, discretion, calm, but also protection against external dust. This is the reason why riads hide their charms very well: walking past, no one can have an idea of what is really hiding inside. The number of rooms also varies depending on the square footage of the house. Regarding the decoration, it generally consists of zellige (ceramic with multicolored geometric patterns) or plaster sculptures. The originality of kasbahs comes from the fact that they are adobe constructions. It is indeed a popular construction method in rural areas, as it allows heat to be retained during harsh winters, and coolness during summer. However, there will be some differences in the exterior appearance depending on the different regions. The interior structure is always more or less the same: a ground floor devoted to animals, then a first level dedicated to the kitchen as well as a central space reserved for women and finally a second level with a living room, a space reserved for men and a terrace. In order to admire the most beautiful kasbahs of the kingdom, you have to orient yourself towards the great south, on the road of the thousand and one Kasbahs. Indeed, in the region of Ouarzazate, near the Dades valley and the valley of roses are some architectural gems unique in the world including the Taourirt kasbah, classified as a World Heritage Site by Unesco.

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