Sefrou صفرو | |
|---|---|
City | |
   .jpg) The "medina" (Old city) in Sefrou | |
| Nickname: Tilmirath | |
  Sefrou  Sefrou | |
| Coordinates:33°49′45.68″N4°50′22.12″W / 33.8293556°N 4.8394778°W /33.8293556; -4.8394778 | |
| Country | Morocco |
| Region | Fès-Meknès |
| Province | Sefrou |
| Area | |
• Total | 10.50 km2 (4.05 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 850 m (2,790 ft) |
| Population (2014)[1] | |
• Total | 79,887 |
| • Density | 7,600/km2 (20,000/sq mi) |
Sefrou (Arabic:صفرو) is a city in centralMorocco situated in theFès-Meknès region. It recorded a population of 79,887 in the2014 Moroccan census,[1] up from 63,872 in the 2004 census.[2]
Sefrou is known for its historical Jewish population, and its annual cherry festival.
Sefrou was named for theAhel Sefrou, aBerber tribe that once inhabited the area.[3]
Sefrou's name might be brought from the berber name "Asfru" (ⴰⵙⴼⵔⵓ) which means "the solution" (inMorocco).[4]
Sefrou was once home to one of the largest settlements ofMoroccan Jews, the population estimated to have been as high as 8,000.[5] The first Jewish people lived in the area of the Ahel Sefrou, most of whom were converted toJudaism around 2,000 years ago. In the 8th century, most of these were converted toIslam underIdris I of Morocco. In the 9th century, a second Jewish population settled from theTafilalt area and SouthernAlgeria. Most of the descendants of these Jews stayed in Sefrou until 1967, when many moved toIsrael.[3]
Idris II of Morocco lived in Sefrou temporarily while overseeing the development ofFez.[5]
On October 10, 1946, anAmiot AAC.1 (F-BCAA) of Air Ocean crashed into a cliff at 3,600 feet 6.3 miles (10 km) south the city, killing all 16 onboard.[6]
Sefrou is located at the edge of theMiddle Atlas mountain range, and is 30 kilometres (19 mi) southeast ofFez. Oued Aggai runs through the city, and about 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) west of Sefrou are the Cascades, a small waterfall.[5] Wadi Aggai also takes part in irrigation for the area. The Kef el-Moumen caves contain ancient tombs, one of which is claimed to be the tomb ofDaniel. There is also a spring near Sefrou called Lalla Rekia, which is purported to cure insanity.[3]
Sefrou is known for its Sefrou Cherry Festival, which isUNESCO-endorsed, and is held annually every June.[7] This festival, originally launched back in 1920, consists in a beauty contest in which Moroccan women would apply for the prestigious title ofMiss Cherry. The festival lasts for three days and includesfolk music,Moroccan traditional cuisine,fantasia performances, and sporting events.[8]
The town has a medina and two mosques, and every Thursday is market day.[5]
Capital:Fez | ||
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