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The Anti-Atlas near your rental riad is extraordinarily rich in fortified granaries, called agadirs in the Berber language. These are exceptional curiosities of a heritage on borrowed time, absent from the program of tour operators. We offer you the visit of the agadir of Imchguiguiln. This can be done in two or three hours, including travel. It can also be part of a full day excursion, which will take youin Tafraout, by Tizourgane.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fortified granary of Imchguiguiln: agadir over 750 years old 

The Anti-Atlas near your rental riad is extraordinarily rich in fortified granaries, called agadirs or igoudar in the Berber language. These are exceptional curiosities of a heritage on borrowed time, absent from the tour operator program. We offer you a visit to the Agadir of Imchguiguiln. This can be completed in two or three hours, including travel. It can also be part of a full-day excursion, which will take you toTafraout, by Tizourgane.

La plupart des photos de l'agadir d'Inoumar sont de Corinne Preteur et de Michel Terrier.

The Agadir of Inoumar ​ has the reputation of being one of the largest in Morocco. It is also the closest to the Jardin aux Etoiles (50 minutes if you go through Gfiffat and Tassila).  You can get there by goingto the almost abandoned village of Talkerdoust. The last part of the course is a track, easy to take. The building is located some 200 meters south of the village. It dominates the assif (oued) Aouerga.


Built in the 18th century, this magnificent Agadir comprises some 600 cells which occupy no less than three aisles on three floors each.  A few are still in use. Inoumar is in relatively good condition. Part of the perimeter wall and a few bays of huts, however, collapsed.

The guard is called Mohamed. He will open the door for you and offer you tea. A gesture representing 50 to 100 dh is obviously expected. 

 

Agadir from Imchguiguiln, in less than an hour                            

​The Agadir of Imchguiguiln can be reached, heading due south, in less than an hour from the Jardin aux Etoiles.See details on Google Maps below. After crossing a magnificent landscape of argan trees, you can see a large sign on the left, about three kilometers before the town of Aït Baha. Other geographical indications can be found on the Internet. Don't be fooled, they are fake. 

 

Access is easy by car. The last section is a concrete road, then tarred for a little over 500 meters, before arriving at the village of Imchguiguiln.

Contemporary of the Crusades                            

​Just recently restored, the agadir of Imchguiguiln would extend its oldest roots until the year 1244. It would therefore be contemporary with theCrusades. As we laid our first stone,the Cathars capitulated at Montsegur.

 

You will be kindly welcomed by the caretaker, Mbataka Ben Homer, and his wife Saadia Machaitou, both of Berber origin and adorable kindness. This agadir is distinguished by its high quality stone construction, which is noticeable from the exterior wall and is gloriously confirmed inside the vast corridor formed by two impressive rows of huts which were used to secure crops and goods. It is the heart of Agadir. These boxes, which can be compared to the safes of today's banks, are no longer used.

A thousand interesting details

​During the visit, the two guards will provide you with a thousand interesting details, which we are not going to deflower here. However, the images above give an idea. In addition, Saadia is ready to prepare a tagine for you, which you will taste in her house. Then count two or three hours more! Reservation essential: 06 62 81 27 28 (her) or 06 18 43 81 62 (him). Negotiate the price!

 

Tajine or not, remember to give the guards 50 or 100 dirhams (5 or 10 €). It's their livelihood! And, we cannot say it enough, life is not easy for the Moroccan people. 

Agadir Ikounka

Photos of Inoumar: Michel Terrier

The agadir of Ikounka is in the village of Aïr Doubark. It is very close to that of Imchguiguiln and is located a little further than the latter. It is well indicated on the road that leads to Aït Baha (on the left when arriving from the Souss plain). 

His door is usually closed. You have to ask the inhabitants of the village who is the person who is able to open it. You will probably be quoted the local teacher, who may be asked to intervene, unless you come across a good day. We are in Morocco!

Anchor 1
...or to Talkerdoust (agadir Inoumar) if Imchguiguiln is closed
Ancre 2
Ancre 1
 

In less than an hourfrom the Star Garden to Imchguiguilln...
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ancre 4
Anchor 3
Ancre 3
... or even to Ait Doubark (agadir Ikounka)
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