凯德斯城堡(Kasbah des Caids)坐落在塔姆努加尔特(Tamnougalt)古老村落的边缘,距离瓦尔扎扎特(Ouarzazate)大约95公里。这座始建于16世纪的土砖堡垒曾是梅兹吉塔(Mezguita)地区的行政中心。目前进入内部参观的票价通常在20迪拉姆上下,比起那些修缮一新、充满商业气息的著名景点,这里保留了更多原始的荒凉感。城堡依偎着德拉河谷,四周被超过300公顷的棕榈林包围。站在顶层露台往下看,满眼都是深浅不一的绿色与远处撒哈拉边缘的土黄色交织在一起。
凯德斯城堡的历史可以追溯到400多年前,它在当时的德拉河谷不仅仅是防御工事,更是控制撒哈拉商路的关键节点。整座城堡由厚重的黏土、稻草和碎石混合建成,这种传统的夯土技艺让建筑内部在夏季40多度的高温下依然能维持凉爽。城堡主塔高达5层,这在当时的土砖建筑中非常罕见,展示了当时统治家族的地位。走进其中你会发现,墙壁上的几何图案和柏柏尔纹饰虽然已经被风化得模糊,但依然透着一种粗犷的精致。
如果你觉得这里的转角或是某个中庭似曾相识,那多半是因为你在大银幕上见过它。贝尔纳多·贝托鲁奇在拍摄《遮蔽的天空》(The Sheltering Sky)时就相中了这片残垣断壁,后来的《通天塔》(Babel)和《英国病人》也曾在这里取景。与瓦尔扎扎特那些专门搭建的影城不同,凯德斯城堡的电影质感是时光磨出来的。那些错落有致的拱门和长廊不需要任何布景,只要清晨或傍晚的光线斜射进来,那种属于撒哈拉边缘的孤独感就完全出来了。
从瓦尔扎扎特驱车南下大约需要1个半小时,你会经过阿特拉斯山脉末端的崎岖路段,翻过海拔1660米的廷尼菲菲山口(Col du Tinififft)。过了这个最高点,景色会突然开阔,壮丽的德拉河谷绿洲就在脚下铺开。路况整体不错,但接近塔姆努加尔特村口时路面会变窄,碎石也多。我建议直接把车停在村口的开阔地,步行穿过村落。虽然自驾很方便,但如果租的是底盘较低的轿车,遇到雨后路段还是要多加小心。
进门之后别急着直奔楼顶,先在底层那些光线昏暗的储藏室和马厩里绕一绕。城堡内部像个立体的迷宫,如果不请当地向导,你很有可能会在二楼的某个转角迷失方向。其实迷路也是一种乐趣,你会偶尔推开一扇嘎吱作响的木门,发现一个藏在建筑深处的宁静天井。下午四点左右的光影是最好的,夕阳会把红土墙染成明亮的橘色。这时候爬到最高处的露台,能看到德拉河在棕榈林间断断续续地流淌。说真的,那种静谧感是马拉喀什或菲斯给不了的。
城堡下方的德拉河谷是摩洛哥最大的棕榈种植区之一。看完古堡之后,花半个小时走进那片绿洲非常解压。林子里纵横交错着古代的灌溉渠,当地农民在棕榈树影下种植苜蓿和果树。这里的空气比外面要湿润得多,即便是在正午,走在这些自然形成的荫凉小径里也非常舒服。偶尔会有当地的孩子骑着毛驴经过,那种慢节奏的生活气息特别浓厚。
距离凯德斯城堡只有几公里的阿格兹(Agdz)是这片区域的补给站。这里没有那么多高级奢华的酒店,更多的是由旧土堡改造而成的特色民宿(Riad)。如果你打算深入扎戈拉(Zagora)沙漠,我建议在阿格兹住一晚,而不是赶路。镇上的集市规模不大,但能买到非常地道的椰枣。钱的问题也得提前规划,阿格兹镇上虽然有自动取款机,但偶尔会遇到没钱或者不认外卡的情况,建议出发前在瓦尔扎扎特换好足够的现金,毕竟城堡门票和村里的午餐都只收迪拉姆现金。
通常预留1到2个小时就足够你转遍城堡内部并拍照。如果你还打算下到城堡下方的德拉河谷棕榈林里散步,或者在村里喝杯薄荷茶,那可能需要半天的时间。考虑到往返瓦尔扎扎特的车程,这通常是一个完美的日游项目。
城堡入口处常有当地人自荐当向导,这并非强制,你可以自己探索。不过城堡内部结构非常复杂且光线昏暗,花50迪拉姆左右请个向导能让你听到很多关于建筑功能和统治家族的历史故事,还能确保你不会错过通往楼顶的最佳拍摄点。
在城堡入口附近以及阿格兹镇上有几家不错的餐厅,大多提供传统的塔吉锅和库斯库斯。我建议尝试那种露台餐厅,虽然价格可能比市区稍贵,但视野极佳。如果你想省点钱,自带一些面包和坚果在河谷边野餐也是个不错的选择,只是要注意带走所有垃圾。
Giulia Drago Clean rooms, tasty food, kindness and the incredible architecture of this Kasbah (palace) made one of the best experiences of our trip in Marocco. We did also an guided tour through the Ksar (fortified village), the guide was really well prepered, explaining us history and urban structure of this place. Really recommend for a relaxing time outside the main touristic spots.
Kalum Iverson Traveling from Mhamid to Tagazout we decided to stop for 1 night at Kasbah des Caids. Being from Canada this was a bit of a stretch for us in terms of accommodation from what we are used to. The rooms and bathrooms were clean and the Kasbah has been redone so you are quite comfortable. AC was available in our room and we were very happy with that option. The breakfast was eggs, crepes, bread, tea and coffee. Definitely an experience for our family that is used to different types of hotels.
Walther Zambotti A magic place - both a musuem as well as a hotel - run by extremely friendly and welcoming people. A unique experience in Morocco and a must in case you are in the area: highly recommended. Moreover, the food is amazing too! Thank you - choukran P.S.: I almost forgot to mention: the Kasbah offers the best view in the area
Linda Bell Truly beautiful, welcoming, friendly, unique, a fabulous must do Moroccan experience. So much history. Hassan and all the staff are really helpful and informative. Highly recommend the tagine cooking class and you must join in the evenings drumming. So much fun. A highlight of our trip
Nicki Barker A fascinating place to wander around, better with a guide who will show you the inside and introduce you to the men constantly renovating this amazing structure. They receive no grant (unlike Ait Ben Haddou) so depend on tourism to help them continue the renovations. Highly recommended.