Morocco, architectural heritage

 Moroccan architecture presents an architectural diversity that has its roots in Hispano-Moorish art. It covers the forms taken by the Islamic art in the Iberian Peninsula between the eighth and fourteenth century, under the reign of the Umayyad caliphs of Syria, then under the rule of the Berber civilizations Almoravids and Almohads.

   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 a reflection of a history rich in events. The world of the arts contributes to the knowledge of 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 souks, in the casbahs, the mosques and behind the walls. heavy residential doors of the rulers.

Riads:

   The basic characteristics of riads are common to several cities of the Arab-Muslim world. The structure is almost the same: an interior courtyard, often surrounded by a garden, which is the heart of the building. It is around this space that articulates the different pieces that, most of the time, do not communicate with each other. Even the windows overlook this courtyard, leaving no contact with the outside, and this for several reasons. Security, discretion, calm, but also protection against external dust. This is the reason why riads hide their charms very well: in passing, nobody can have idea of ​​what is really hiding inside. The number of rooms also varies depending on the size of the house. As for decoration, it usually consists of zellige (ceramic with geometric patterns multicolored) or in plaster sculptures .

Kasbahs:

   The originality of kasbahs comes from the fact that they are adobe buildings. This is a common construction method in rural areas, as it helps conserve heat during harsh winters and freshness during the summer. However, there are some differences in the appearance of different regions. The interior structure is always about the same: a ground floor dedicated to animals, then a first level dedicated to the kitchen and a central space reserved for women and finally a second level with a lounge, a space reserved for men and a terrace. In order to admire the most beautiful kasbahs of the kingdom, it is necessary to move 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 the roses are some unique architectural gems in the world including Taourirt kasbah, a World Heritage Site by Unesco.