Ouarzazate - Morocco

Ouarzazate was the first stopover on my trip to the desert.  I left Marrakesh one morning with another ten or so fellow travellers and headed south to the town of Zagora.  After a few hours’ drive and having crossed the cold and wind-swept Atlas Mountains, we enjoyed a stopover and a visit of the Old Ouarzazate and a well-deserved lunch.

Daniel's Food and Wine Tours - The mighty Atlas Mountains



Daniel's Food and Wine Tours - Pottery for sale on the side of the road

Daniel's Food and Wine Tours - Isolated houses and cultivation fields on our way to Ouarzazate

 

Daniel's Food and Wine Tours - Local pottery for sale

Ouarzazate, nicknamed the “Doorway to the Desert”, is a city in south-central Morocco.  It is located at 1,200 metres above sea level in the middle of a bare plateau south of the High Atlas Mountains.  To the south of the town is the desert.  The name Ouarzazate comes from a Berber phrase meaning "without noise" or "without confusion".  As in many cities around the world, there are two districts in Ouarzazate, the Old and the New.  That day, we visited the old district and left the discovery of the new section of the city upon our return from Zagora and our desert trek.

The town is chiefly inhabited by a Berber-speaking population, who constructed many of the prominent Kasbahs and buildings for which the area is known.  Ouarzazate is an important holiday destination in Morocco and a base for excursions across the Draa Valley and into the desert.

Daniel's Food and Wine Tours - Mud bricks used for the buildings inOuarzazate 

Daniel's Food and Wine Tours - Shop keeper and her merchandise of beautiful vibrant clothing

Also Nicknamed “Ouallywood” the Ouarzazate area is a noted film-making location, with Morocco's biggest studios inviting many international companies to work there.  Films such as Lawrence of Arabia, The Last Temptation of Christ, The Mummy, Romancing the Stone and Gladiator to name a few were shot there, as was part of the TV series Game of Thrones.

Daniel's Food and Wine Tours - Sign indicating where some of the scenes from Gladiator were shot



Daniel's Food and Wine Tours - Part of an Egyptian Temple at the Movie Studio - Ouarzazate, Morocco

 

Daniel's Food and Wine Tours - A street in the Studio - Ouarzazate, Morocco

Many directors have held an obsession with the beautiful range of landscapes and locations which are in easy reach.  These include Orson Wells, Ridley Scott, and David Lean.  Any movie buff and I count myself as one simply could not have gone there and not visited the studios.  What a magical place!!  From narrow streets in the souk; Egyptian chariots to jet planes and more, everything was there to let your mind wander and marvel at the magic of movie-making.  I had a wonderful time there.

Daniel's Food and Wine Tours - Egyptian Chariots - Ouarzazate, Morocco

 

Daniel's Food and Wine Tours - Jet plane used for Romancing the Stone...I think?

 

Daniel's Food and Wine Tours - Part of a Buddhist Temple at the Studio - Ouarzazate, Morocco



Daniel's Food and Wine Tours - Ancient piece of machinery at the Studio

The new, more recent, and modern section of Ouarzazate caters for its population increase but also for the growing number of tourists requiring a wide range of services when visiting the area.

The area is also known for its Ouazguita carpets with geometric designs of red-orange on black background.  The city was part of the route of the 2006 and 2007 Dakar Rally.


Daniel's Food and Wine Tours - Carpets for Sale



Daniel's Food and Wine Tours - Rugs and Carpets for Sale - Ouarzazate, Morocco

Daniel's Food and Wine Tours - Carpet weaving - Ourzazate, Morocco

 

Daniel's Food and Wine Tours - Carpet Merchants waiting for the tourists - Ouarzazate, Morocco

The main reason for spending time in Ouarzazate is its prime location for many day trips and overnight excursions to oasis valleys and the Sahara Desert.  After a well-earned break and a delicious lunch, the next stop was to be Zagora and the camel trek that was to take the group to the overnight camp in the desert.  I had waited a long, long time for this moment.