Sefrou
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Sefrou
صفرو | |
|---|---|
City | |
   .jpg) The "medina" (Old city) in Sefrou | |
| Nickname: Tilmirath | |
  Sefrou  Sefrou | |
| Coordinates: 33°49′45.68″N 4°50′22.12″W / 33.8293556°N 4.8394778°W | |
| 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 | 7,608/km2 (19,710/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Sefrioui |
Sefrou (Arabic: صفرو) is a city in central Morocco situated in the Fès-Meknès region. It recorded a population of 79,887 in the 2014 Moroccan census,[1] up from 63,872 in the 2004 census.[2]
Sefrou is known for its Jewish heritage, and its annual cherry festival.
Sefrou was named for the Ahel Sefrou, a Berber tribe that once inhabited the area.[3]
Sefrou's name might be brought from the berber name "Asfru" (ⴰⵙⴼⵔⵓ) which means "the solution" (in Morocco).[4]
Sefrou was once home to one of the largest settlements of Moroccan 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 to Judaism around 2,000 years ago. In the 8th century, most of these were converted to Islam under Idris I of Morocco. In the 9th century, a second Jewish population settled from the Tafilalt area and Southern Algeria. Most of the descendants of these Jews stayed in Sefrou until 1967, when many moved to Israel.[3]
Idris II of Morocco lived in Sefrou temporarily while overseeing the development of Fez.[5]
On October 10, 1946, an Amiot 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]
