The reopening follows the completion of extensive restoration and safety works overseen by the Regional Agency for Project Implementation on behalf of the Fès-Meknès Regional Council. The project was launched to restore and promote the cave after it remained closed for several years following the death of a visitor caused by a falling rock.
A senior official at the Regional Agency for Project Implementation told Le360 that work, which began in December 2023, was completed on schedule and the site has now been handed over to the relevant authorities ahead of its official reopening.
Friouato Cave. le360
The project, which cost more than MAD 12 million, included major engineering works reaching depths of up to 130 meters. Upgrades included reinforcing unstable rock formations through specialized excavation, renovating and widening internal walkways, installing a modern lighting system designed to preserve the cave’s natural environment, improving accessibility, and creating a parking area.
According to the official, all works were carried out in line with strict safety standards while preserving the cave’s geological character. The restoration is part of the Fès-Meknès Regional Council’s strategy to promote the province’s natural and tourism assets, particularly in mountain tourism and speleology.
Friouato Cave is one of the oldest and deepest known caves in North Africa, extending to a depth of about 270 meters. Located in the mountainous Bab Boudir area, it was discovered in the 1930s by a team of geologists. The cave is known for its limestone formations and nearly 500-step staircase leading deep underground, making it one of Morocco’s leading speleological sites.
Local tourism stakeholders expect the reopening to boost visitor numbers and stimulate the local economy. Before its closure, the cave welcomed around 10,000 Moroccan and international visitors each year, helping position Taza as a destination for eco-tourism and mountain tourism at both the national and international levels.
