Monkey Grove and Urbex Adventures in a Sanatorium and Monastery –Fes surroundings

Gosia — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 16:30:53 +0000

A monkey grove and urbex in a sanatorium and monastery – these three places are located not far from the famous city of Fez. Just a short trip outside the city and you’ll find scenery straight out of a B-movie horror movie, a nature documentary, or… a banana commercial. If you have a penchant for abandoned, strange, and slightly eerie places, and you’re not afraid of meeting a poker-faced monkey, then you absolutely must see these three unique places. Abandoned Tuberculosis Sanatorium – Ben Smim A hidden gem for any urban exploration aficionado, this old TB sanatorium sits deep in the forest near the village of Ben Smim. The road leading there meanders through scenic green landscapes, with the vast Michlifen dam reservoir looming in the distance. It might seem like the road leads to a charming resort, perfectly integrated into its natural surroundings. Instead, an eight-floor concrete complex looms on the horizon, making it the perfect setting for a B-film about a haunted clinic. The sanatorium was established in 1955 and operated vigorously until 1965, when it was taken over by the state. As you can see, state interference in something that functions efficiently, regardless of latitude, ends the same way 😀 It took the Moroccan government only 10 years to put an end to this facility. After its closure, the building was abandoned and looted to the ground. Furniture, medical equipment, and anything that could be carried off were gone. The interiors are dilapidated, but the atmosphere of a bygone era is still palpable, especially when you hear slamming windows and creaking doors… Cèdre Gouraud – the Monkey Grove Mafia Near the sanatorium lies a unique attraction – the “Monkey Grove,” where, for a change, the main characters are monkeys. At first glance, you might think it’s a unique spot. The Middle Atlas Mountains, towering cedar trees, and wildlife – a scene straight out of National Geographic. However, as soon as you get out of the car, you realize that a rather effective cooperation is at work here. Suddenly… a monkey tugs at your pants, staring deeply into your eyes with utter determination. Being primates, you understand each other without words; subconsciously, you know he’s asking, “Where are my peanuts?” – a passive-aggressive, but in a simian style. And that’s when vendors appear with a full assortment of monkey delicacies. What’s more interesting is that the monkeys know how to behave and are very sociable. So it’s best to bring your own provisions, and I might add that bananas are the most popular here😉 Tioumliline – The Rebel Monastery The third attraction in this bizarre triangle is Tioumliline – an abandoned monastery with a political past. “Tioumliline” means “white stones”, and it was founded in 1952 by Benedictine monks, who set up a clinic and a school here. All was going well until the monks decided to take sides in Morocco’s independence struggle. After Morocco gained independence, the monks doubled down on their activism, which made them a bit of a headache for the new authorities. Eventually, in 1968, the monastery was shut down. But it didn’t fade into complete obscurity – in 2009, it starred in the film Of Gods and Men, gaining a second life on screen. Although it’s currently closed and undergoing renovations, it’s still worth a quick stopover if you’re driving south from Fes. The surroundings are peaceful, the history spicy, and it’s got that “forbidden” urbex charm. The area around Fes is more than just a pitstop en route to the south. It’s a chance to dive into the offbeat, the abandoned, and the bizarre – the kind of Morocco that doesn’t make it into glossy travel brochures. A derelict sanatorium, a politically active monastery, and a monkey-run cedar forest. Sounds like a fever dream? Maybe. But it’s exactly these odd combos that make for the best stories.

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“The Hills Have Eyes” Gas Station – Moroccan Horrorwood

Gosia — Sun, 29 Jun 2025 09:59:44 +0000

At first glance, it’s just a rusty old gas station in the middle of nowhere. But get a little closer, and suddenly you feel as if you were participating in a B-grade horror film. And not without reason – this is the actual filming location of The Hills Have Eyes (2006), a remake of the 1977 classic of the same name.To be honest, I haven’t watched either version. However, visiting the abandoned set was unsettling enough on its own 😅. The station is located near the town of Ouarzazate, often dubbed the “Hollywood of Morocco.” American filmmakers fell in love with this place – it’s basically like sunny California but on a budget.Fun fact: movie sets built in Morocco are often just left behind in the desert after filming. No one bothers to clean up the props or tear down the decorations. It’s a perfect environment for urban exploration fans. The station is located in the middle of absolute nowhere – no signs of civilization, just a barren, mountainous, semi-desert landscape. From the distance, it looks like run-down gas station but peek through the window, and things get creepy. Dust-covered cans, glass jars, faded posters from the ’60s, peeling paint on the walls – all of it adds up to a seriously eerie vibe. Needless to say, you won’t fill your tank here. In the abandoned garage next door, you’ll find scattered props, old tires, and tools that I’d rather not know how they were used in the film. The area is “decorated” with gutted, rusting American cars – perfect for an apocalyptic photo shoot (or another horror movie). A dark atmosphere is also created by dolls hanging on the tree. Even though it’s been almost 20 years since the movie came out, the station is still in surprisingly good shape. It may not be a high-class monument, but it is definitely a place worth seeing that is not offered by travel agencies.

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Monkey Grove and Urbex Adventures in a Sanatorium and Monastery –Fes surroundings

“The Hills Have Eyes” Gas Station – Moroccan Horrorwood