The kasbah of Chefchaouen belongs to the early 18th century, and was built by the legendary ruler Moulay Ismail. It is fairly simple without architectural surprises, but it sure gets help from the rich vegetation both inside and around it. There is however one sight here which should not be overlooked by visitors with a detail knowledge of Moroccan history. The hardheaded local chief Abdu l-Karim was imprisoned here in 1926 by Spanish troops who only by the help of French troops managed to defeat him. With his fall, Spanish control over northern Morocco was a fact for the next 30 years. Fortunately, since Abdu l-Karim was so much of a legend for the peoples of northern Morocco, he was not executed, and did not die until 37 years later, in Cairo, Egypt, as an old man.
