Taza

Taza is one of Morocco's most historically significant yet least-visited cities — perched on a clifftop commanding the only natural corridor between the Atlantic plains and eastern Morocco (the Taza Gap). Every major power that ruled Morocco had to control Taza, making it a city of exceptional strategic and architectural heritage. The ancient medina sits on a promontory above the new town, offering views over a landscape of dramatic gorges and mountain wilderness. Jbel Tazekka National Park, with its cedar forests, underground caves and waterfall gorges, begins just outside the city.

Taza was founded by the Meknassa Berber tribe in the 8th century and fortified by the Almoravids. Every major Moroccan dynasty — Almohads, Merinids, Saadians, Alaouites — either controlled or fought over it as the key passage between the Maghreb and the Mashreq. The Almohad sultan Abd al-Mumin built the Great Mosque in 1135 — one of Morocco's oldest mosques still in use. The Andalusian refugees expelled from Spain in 1492 settled here in large numbers, adding a distinctive architectural layer. In the 20th century, Taza was the base for Berber resistance leader Abd el-Krim during the Rif War (1921–1926).

Taza has preserved some of Morocco's most ancient musical and craft traditions — the city's embroidery (particularly on household linens and kaftans) is considered among the finest in the Fès-Meknès region. The traditional water management system of the medina (seguia and cistern network built by the Almohads in the 12th century) still partially functions. The Thursday market below the old city is one of the region's most important rural markets.

• ✓Combine Taza with a day in Jbel Tazekka — the circuit road through the national park is excellent by car.
• ✓The Friouato caves require a guide and a head torch — local guides wait at the entrance.
• ✓Taza medina has almost no tourist infrastructure — bring cash, as card payments are rare.
• ✓The clifftop medina is cool even in summer thanks to its elevation (850m).
• ✓Taza is an easy detour between Fes (120km west) and Oujda (220km east) on the main east-west road.

Trains from Fes (1.5h) and Oujda (3h) stop at Taza — the train station is in the new town, 3km below the medina. CTM buses serve the main coastal cities. Grand taxis run to Fes regularly.