Rissani

Rissani, in Morocco, is located 22 km south of Erfoud on a road that runs along the river Ziz where you can see the last remains of vegetation before entering the pure desert of the Sahara. Rissani leads to Merzouga […]

Rissani, in Morocco, is located 22 km south of Erfoud on a road that runs along the river Ziz where you can see the last remains of vegetation before entering the pure desert of the Sahara. Rissani leads to Merzouga desert.

Along the final section of the Ziz valley, a collection of villages make up the Rissani region. The Alawite dynasty was born in the holy city of Tafilalt, which was once known as Sijilmassa and served as its ancient capital.

Its location as a crossroads between north and south has given the city some importance in the past. Even today traces of this greatness remain and gives us the impression of being a beautiful and quiet place, which comes alive only in the days of the market.

Sijilmassa practiced the Shiite school of Islam, which is now extinct in Morocco. Shiite Islam was the religion of Sijilmassa. The principality of Sijilmassa, established in 707, had Rissani as its capital from the eighth to the fourteenth centuries. It was here that the present Alawite dynasty undertook its conquests up to Fez and Marrakech.

Things to do in Rissani

Among the many places to see in Morocco, Rissani could be a proposal, at least if your itinerary takes you through the Sahara desert. Here are some interesting places to visit, among which those that stand out are:

What to see in Rissani

Built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as the residence of the governor of Tafilalt.

 

The mausoleum of Moulay Ali Chérif

This mausoleum is only accessible to Muslims. It was built in the mid-20th century and destroyed during a violent overflow of the Ziz River, but was immediately restored. It was the fortress from which the Alawites left.

Today it is the mausoleum of the founder of the dynasty. Although the enclosure is sacred and the visit to the adjacent mosque is forbidden to non-Muslims, the courtyard is accessible to all visitors from 9.00 to 18.00, every day.

Ksar Abber

Right next door is the Ksar Abber, built in the early nineteenth century, an ancient palace that was used as a garrison. The Ksar housed much of the imperial treasury, which was protected by a fortified triple wall, equipped with cannons and guarded by a garrison of soldiers. But unlike the mausoleum, Rissani’s Ksar Abber is poorly preserved.

Ksar El Fida

Just 4 km north of Risani, Ksar El Fida houses an impressive Alawite Kasbah from the 19th century. This kasbah, transformed into a museum since 2005, can be visited every day from 9.00 to 18.00. In his collection we find carpets, objects of everyday life and portraits of the Alawite dynasty. The price of the ticket is 10 Dh.

Ksar of Oudalad Abd el Malin

It is a truly impressive fortress built around 1900. It is one of the most beautiful buildings of Errissani, although currently its interior is very poorly preserved. However, its tall towers and fortified walls stand out.

Merzouga, Erg Chebbi and its dunes

You don’t get to Rissani except to visit the desert of Merzouga. A track of 53 km takes us to that location and up to the dunes of Erg Chebbi, which are the largest in all of Morocco, reaching over 150 meters in height.

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