0 Azrou - A Perfect Marriage Between Nature and History Near Oujda City

Azrou is a name reflecting the geomorphologic landform. Indeed, the city owes its name to a large rocky outcrop ("Azrou", which means "rock" in the Berber Tamazight language). The city of Azrou (51, 000 inhabitants) is a municipality in the Moroccan province of Ifrane, located in a strategic crossroads between the Middle Atlas and the High Atlas near Midelt via Timahdite and the plain of Tadla near Khenifra.

Azrou is a city surrounded by beautiful green mountains that give it a particular charm, apart from its rich biodiversity symbolized by the famous cedar forest, the macaque Barbary monkeys called Maggots (Macaca Sylvanus) and the beautiful butterflies that are unique in the world. The area of Azrou makes an attractive choice for summer adventurers, hikers and picnickers from nearby cities. The quality of urban Azrou, with its red tile roofs, bears the stamp of European style.

Azrou is best known for hosting the first college in the Berber region, the College of Berber Azrou. The Bnou Ziad Tariq School was built by the French colonial authorities in order to train officers for the Moroccan colonial administration. It was one of the instruments of control over the Berber community but the residents agreed to leave the Berbers solve their problems of justice according to their customs, which they had done for millennia without resorting to other justices (Colonial or Makhzen). Thereupon, the Arabs of Fez, Rabat and Salé were worried because they were losing control over the country throughout Morocco, mostly in Berber communities. Their influence was reduced, although the application of "Sharia" (Islamic law) was in place.

The College became an educational institution of reference in the region, where part of political elites and military from 1956 to 1973 emerged. After independence, the college was renamed as Azrou High School "Tariq Ibn Ziad". The city is controlled by the authorities since independence, a situation that is proved by the fact that the city, although more prestigious than Ifrane, does not even have the provincial status, much less that of Wilaya. The city has 4 or 5 hotels and the region known for its cedars, cherry trees, apple trees, and monkeys, and its decommissioned sanatorium of the nearby town of Ben Smim.

Azrou, is a beautiful town near Oujda City in a gorgeous region surrounded by stunning nature and not far from the fabulous Saidia beach. The city clearly shows the amazing natural richness of Morocco and is an ideal place to discover the charm of the local popular heritage in many domains, including music, gastronomy, clothing, crafts, folklore, etc. Moreover, in this magical city you will enjoy a wonderful weather throughout the year that will allow you to have an unforgettable stay in the fascinating city of Azrou.