Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
throughout Morocco's history as a garrison town from which to exert control over the
country's eastern extremities.
The Tizi n'Touahar, as the pass is known, was the traditional invasion route for armies
moving west from Tunisia and Algeria. This is, in fact, where the Romans and the Arabs
entered Morocco. The town itself was the base from which the Almohads, Merenids and
Alawites swept to conquer lowland Morocco and establish their dynasties.
All Moroccan sultans had a hand in fortifying Taza. Nevertheless, their control over the
area was always tenuous because the fiercely independent and rebellious local tribes con-
tinually exploited any weakness in the central power in order to overrun the city. Never
was this more so than in the first years of the 20th century, when 'El-Rogui' (Pretender to
the Sultan's Throne) Bou Hamra held sway over most of northeastern Morocco.
The French occupied Taza in 1914 and made it the main base from which they fought
the prolonged rebellion by the tribes of the Rif Mountains and Middle Atlas.
