The main reason for visiting this otherwise unremarkable village is to see the incredible kasbah of the Glaouis (which is sometimes referred to simply as "Kasbah Telouet"). Built in the 19th century, the kasbah is now in near ruin, but the interior still hints of the luxury that once was.
It was from Telouet that the powerful Glaoui family controlled the caravan route over the mountains into Marrakesh. Although the Goundafi and Mtougi caids also held important High Atlas passes, by 1901 the Glaoui were on the rise. The legend goes that the Glaoui brothers saved the life of Sultan Moulay el-Hassan during a snowstorm, and in gratitude he gave them a collection of first-rate artillery. They then used it to subdue all their rivals, and were positioned to bargain when the French arrived on the political scene. The French couldn't have been pleased with the prospect of subduing the vast, wild regions of southern Morocco tribe by tribe. Thus the French-Glaoui alliance benefited both parties, with Mandani el-Glaoui ruling as Grand Vizier and his brother Tuhami serving as pasha of Marrakesh.
