Located in the southern part of the Rif Mountains, Ouezzane, or Ouazzane, is a picturesque town considered a "holy city" by both Jews and Muslims. Also known as Dar ed-Damana, it hosted many refugees from Andalusia during the fifteenth century. Its old town stretches across the slopes of Mount Bou Hilal. Due to its religious character, the town lacks defensive walls and fortifications, and the southern part clearly displays the Andalusian-Jewish influence of its houses.
The cradle of Sufi sheikhs, it is a pilgrimage site for many shrines of saints and righteous people (mazarat), with the highlight being the Jewish pilgrimage to the tomb of Rabbi Imran ibn Diwan, an eighteenth-century figure whose name is often associated with miracles. In the oldest part of the old town, in the Saqfa district, we find the Zawiya of the Tabia, which houses a mosque known for its octagonal green minaret, the headquarters of the Ouezzanese brotherhood. In the same area, we also find the Qaisariya, the craftsmen's quarter known for its woolen robes and rugs, as well as its Andalusian-style wooden mashrabiyas.
Ouezzane is considered one of Morocco's oldest cities. Its history dates back to the Roman era, whose influence remains intact. Its traditional industries include waterwheels, waterwheels, fire extinguishers, blacksmithing, leather tanning, and lamp-making. When Jews from Andalusia arrived in Ouezzane, several traditional industries began to emerge, including saddlery, plumbing, the manufacture of raboz, balgha, and zellij. Leatherwork, carpentry, lathe-making, wool spinning, djellabas, haik, sewing, wood and copper engraving, and metalwork decoration.
