Glaoui Kasbah of Telouet – Popular Tourist Attraction
The Glaoui Kasbah of Telouet is a popular tourist attraction found in the country of Morocco. The building was home to T’hami el Glaoui, the governor of Marrakesh, and his family in the early twentieth century.
To truly delve into the world of El Glaoui, one should visit the fascinating Kasbah. The kasbah is named in honor of “El Haj T’hami el Mezouari el Glaoui” who was the highly respected head of the Glaoua tribe in Morocco. Known as the Lord of the Atlas, he resided in the Kasbah of Telouet. He also served as the pasha of Marrakech between 1912 and 1956. As a warlord and chieftain, he was very successful. El Glaoui is probably best known for his involvement with the French Protectorate when he worked with the French to remove Sultan Mohammed V from his position in 1953. However in 1955 T’hami el Glaoui uttered a public apology when the sultan returned from exile. El Glaoui left a large impression on Moroccans. While some considered him to be a fine man, others viewed him as a bloodthirsty traitor. Each person should form this opinion for themselves.
Looking out over the Imarene River stands Dar el Glaoui: the Kasbah of Telouet and home of T’hami el Glaoui. Some parts of the Kasbah have been properly maintained and well looked after. A number of the rooms have been beautifully decorated. The Harem and reception hall areas give one a good idea of the former luxury in which El Glaoui lived, as well as a look at the Andalusian-style of decorating. However, the older parts of the Kasbah are in complete ruins, making it difficult to see properly. Walking through the crumbling passageways is like walking through a maze and some have gotten lost exploring the dilapidated Kasbah.
The Glaoui Kasbah is kept locked-up, but if you go to the entrance you will find a guard keeping watch and he will have a key to open the building. If you are interested in learning a bit about Glaoui Kasbah and its history you can ask the guard to give you a tour for a price of 10 or 20 dirhams.