Taroudant — Al-Hiba's Secret Map

Your journey begins at Bab el-Khemis, the northern gate of Taroudant's ramparts. Built in the 16th century under the Saadian dynasty, this imposing structure marks the entrance to a city whose fortifications stretch for 7.5 km, reaching 8 meters in height in places. As an archivist, you know that every stone of these Taroudant ramparts, nicknamed 'Little Marrakech,' holds clues. It is here, facing these ochre adobe walls, that the first riddles related to Al-Hiba's map are entrusted to you, plunging you into the history of this Souss-Massa city.

Continue your investigation towards the Kasbah Mosque, a historic 17th-century edifice. This central landmark, located near Bab el-Kasbah, is associated with the old Taroudant kasbah, a converted Saadian palace. The covered souks, which extend nearby, house about 80% of your route. In this labyrinth of covered passages and arcades protecting from the weather, look for symbols that the pretender Al-Hiba might have hidden there. The atmosphere of the Taroudant souk, with its spices and crafts, transports you to the historic commercial past of the Taroudant medina.

Your path then leads you to Place An-Nasr, a central square in Taroudant's medina, surrounded by souks and historic buildings. This daily gathering place, close to the ochre ramparts, is a crossroads of information. Merchants' whispers and old facades may conceal messages. Afterwards, you venture into the Old Mellah, Taroudant's historic Jewish quarter, dating from the 17th-18th centuries. The narrow streets of this Moroccan mellah, near the souks, bear witness to a significant Jewish community before its exodus. Could Al-Hiba's map have been hidden there, away from prying eyes?

Place Assarag, another historic square in the medina, is linked to the Saadian fortifications and is located within 1.5 km of Bab al-Khemis. This is a strategic area where information flows. Walking along the Taroudant Ramparts, these 7.5 km long ochre adobe walls, you observe the 44 watchtowers, with an average height of 6-8 meters. These fortifications, built in the 16th-17th centuries and partially restored, remind you of Taroudant's strategic importance. Finally, you reach Bab Zorgan, another gate in the ramparts, where the last pieces of the puzzle begin to come together.

Your exploration of Taroudant, from Bab el-Khemis to Bab Zorgan, passing through the Kasbah Mosque, the souk, Place An-Nasr, the Old Mellah, and Place Assarag, will have allowed you to reconstruct Al-Hiba's journey. Each site visited in the Taroudant medina and its 16th-century Saadian ramparts has offered you a unique perspective on the Souss-Massa heritage. You have not only found the secret map but have also delved into the real history of this city, following the footsteps of a figure who marked his era. This interactive visit is a true immersion into Taroudant's past.