Visit to the Foum Zguid palm grove

The Foum Zguid palm grove and its ancient kasbah are one of the must-see attractions when visiting the region.

You can walk around freely, and tour the old kasbah, a vestige of the city's past life.

We'll take you for a stroll in the shade of the palm trees to enjoy these enchanting settings!

Access to the Foum Zguid palm grove

The Foum Zguid palm grove surrounds part of the old kasbah. To easily reach it on foot, walk alongside the Riad Assia. There you will find the small paths that lead you under the palm trees.

This maze of dirt paths runs through the plots cultivated by the inhabitants, as well as a whole network of canals that irrigate the crops with water.

As in every palm grove, one is first struck by the coolness that reigns there. The shade of the date palms is so welcome when temperatures exceed 30 degrees.

Date cultivation in Foum Zguid

Indeed, the Foum Zguid palm grove is predominantly composed of date palms. The dates are harvested from approximately September to December and are one of the region's natural treasures. They are then packaged and sold directly in the surrounding areas, such as at the Foum Zguid souk on Thursdays.

Within the plots, you will also find crops grown by several families. Food crops, produce to sell at local markets, and animal fodder.

The palm grove irrigation system

The palm grove is supplied by the waters of the Zguid and underground springs.

These waters are slightly salty, like those found throughout the region which made Tissint, on the way to Tata, famous for its waterfalls and saltwater pools.

Traces of it can be found on the whitewashed edges along the gutters.

Water is distributed throughout the palm grove via channels dug into the ground and divided by a system of small sluice gates to irrigate all plots regularly and equitably.

It's also a haven for animals like frogs and numerous birds whose songs mingle at nightfall. You'll almost certainly also encounter some cats, which are ubiquitous in Morocco, and families of dogs that find refuge there at night.

A traditional rammed earth decor from southern Morocco

What makes this palm grove so charming are its 100% natural features made of raw earth, palm wood, and branches. These are the same materials used to build the kasbah and the houses of yesteryear, as is typical of all the structures in southern Morocco.

They create a setting with natural and soft colors and blend perfectly into the vegetation.

The tomb of the marabout

Following the paths and winding your way through the palm grove, you will eventually reach the mausoleum. In Morocco, these tombs are erected in memory of holy men, either founders of the village or those who have left their mark on its history. The cemetery is also located here. Instead of headstones, there are stones marking the burial place of each deceased person.

The old kasbah of Foum Zguid

Imposing and immense, the Oum El Hench kasbah stands as the guardian of Foum Zguid's history.

It once housed the inhabitants; the Jewish and Muslim communities lived side by side in defined neighborhoods.

The kasbah is a maze of alleyways, most of which were covered, topped with multi-story dwellings.

Earthen walls, wooden doors, palm tree trunk crossbeams, the whole thing was built like the rest with materials available on site.

Of course, these crumbling walls are succumbing to the ravages of time, and the kasbah is deteriorating. There is hope that a rehabilitation program will be implemented, but the undertaking would be colossal. In the meantime, we advise you to observe it only from the outside. Do not risk venturing inside, as the walls and ceilings could collapse, especially after the heavy rains of 2024.

At sunset, it is even more beautiful and takes on flamboyant colors.

Would you like to learn more about Foum Zguid and its region?

Our local agency will provide you with information and share its expertise to create a personalized trip just for you: day trips from Foum Zguid , overnight stays in the desert , and exploration of Iriki National Park . Browse our various offers or contact us .