Global Heritage Fund is defending endangered cultural sites and traditions around the world by building capacities and connecting people with new opportunities to turn their traditions into modern economic assets.

In Morocco, our programs are expanding local capacities and supporting economic development by restoring ancient granaries in the Anti-Atlas Mountains.

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Tizgui

Until recently, the people of Tizgui depended on their granary to attract tourists. As part of the local Siroua Mountain hiking trail, the granary drew visitors from around the world. The tourist fees funded crucial social support for disadvantaged local children and widows.

After a landslide in February 2018 severely damaged the granary walls, we employed nine local craftsmen to restore this historic site. Thanks to the participative process designed by our Moroccan partner, architect Dr Salima Naji, our program has successfully rehabilitated the granary by engaging the local community. The successful restoration was featured on Moroccan television as an outstanding example of community development.

The Tizgui Granary is restored, and local Tizgui residents can now protect their important cultural history.

Photos: Dr Salima Naji meets with workers at Tizgui Granary. Photos from before and after reconstruction show the extent of damage (top) and the successful reconstruction of granary walls (bottom).

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Adkhs

In Adkhs, Morocco, we’re developing economic opportunities by protecting irreplaceable historic sites such as the stunning Adkhs Granary.

Despite damage from weathering and neglect, this granary was a promising tourist attraction. Prominently situated along the travel route linking the desert to the Siroua Mountain, the granary had the potential to attract international visitors and sorely-needed economic growth.

In 2018, we partnered with architect Dr Salima Naji to employ local craftsmen and restore the granary’s main structures. The initial team of craftsmen has now evolved into a permanent team of fifteen workers. Once a relic of the past, the restored granary is integrated into the Adkhs economy and benefiting local people.

Photos: The ancient Adkhs Granary was severely damaged by neglect and weathering. Thanks to our community training programs, dedicated workers have now restored the granary and integrated it into the local community.

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Ifri Imadidane

The people of Ifri Imadidane still use their granary for crop storage and religious festivities such as moussem. This granary also draws visitors from around the world, and tourist fees fund local association projects. However, until recently the granary was steadily deteriorating due to weathering and a lack of restoration knowledge.

Since February, we have trained six local craftsmen to restore this historic site. Thanks to the participative process designed by Dr Naji, the local community has been engaged to successfully rehabilitate the granary.

Photos: Local workers have restored Ifri Imidadane from a crumbling monument into a stunning example of a communal granary.

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Our programs in places like Tizgui, Adkhs, and Ifri Imadidane engage communities to protect heritage beyond monuments®. Our work is possible thanks to your support.

Thank you for helping us defend cultural heritage around the world.

 

Photos © David Goeury / Mehdi Benssid (Drone) / Global Heritage Fund