Ait Ben Haddou
Ait benhaddou Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, the kasbah, was listed as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Not to mention his great demand and recognition in the cinematographic field for the making […]
Ait benhaddou Kasbah
Ait Ben Haddou, the kasbah, was listed as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Not to mention his great demand and recognition in the cinematographic field for the making of great films such as Lawrence of Arabia or Gladiator, initiative widely accepted by its neighbors due to the important extra that it represents for the economy of the city and its surroundings.
Here are just some of the famous films that were shot in Ait Ben Haddou:
Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
The Jewel of the Nile (1985)
Jesus of Nazareth (1977)
The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)
The Mummy (1999)
Gladiator (2000): It is in this Gsar where Russell Crowe is
sold as a slave.
Alejandro Magno (2004)
This impressive construction of the Ksar is still inhabited by some families. It is crowned by a cliff of about 98 meters high, in which there are remains of an old building and from where you can see a magnificent landscape, ideal place to take the most nice images and photographs of Ait Ben Haddou Gsar and its environment.
Its jagged towers are adorned with blind arches and geometric designs that create games of light and shadow. The silhouettes of the buildings, the stunning surroundings and the friendly people of countless film crews have witnessed the work here over the last few decades.
General view Ait Ben Haddou
During the warm summer days it is difficult to see people walking through the streets of Ait Ben Haddou unesco, which seem to get lost in the shadows of labyrinthine alleys and underground passages. However, in the current town that passes the road, very close to the kasbah, there are shops prepared for tourism with offers in pure crystals with mixtures of different minerals and numerous fossils that must be cared for as archaeological jewels.
For its protection, the State still did not have a sufficient budget and no action appeared to have been taken.
In the village of ait ben haddou you can also find all kinds of Moroccan handicrafts: leather belts, wool, handmade glass, clay pots, iron tools and other small treasures.
Water is not scarce even in arid and rocky landscapes. The land has little vegetation, although date palms, fig trees, oranges and lemon trees abound, as well as other fruit trees such as almond or apple trees.
In a wide view of the landscape of the Ksar of ait ben haddou we can feel the stunning different of shades of red, depending on the day time, with its numerous fortified towers that seem to be attached to the mountains.. As we have said before, if possible, it is highly recommended to visit the tower of the ancient ksar of Ait Ben Haddou, where you will find wonderful panoramic views of the region with the High Atlas mountains as a backdrop.
This unique and unforgettable show will fill you with the timeless feeling of this wild land and the tenacious way of life of its people.
The villa was installed on top of a hill to escape the glacial winds of the mountains and take better advantage of the sunlight. Also, they had water and could defend themselves from potential adversaries while being near to the migratory pathways of the Moroccan Sahara desert.
The exterior walls have two doors to control the inputs and outputs. The Ait Ben Haddou kasr’s internal architecture was separated into two sections: private & public. The structure of the kasbah is determined by this association.
Public spaces include the public square, the mosque and the Koranic school. The private part is a conglomerate of houses in which you can clearly see the difference between the normal houses of the village, built with only one floor and almost no ornamentation, and those of the noble families, richly decorated.
You can take a tour of Ait Benhaddou alone or hire a guide to teach you the kasbah and explain its history. If you are going to hire a guide it is advisable to set the price before starting the tour. Ask at one of the hotels reception where you may find these guidelines.
It is worth visiting the kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou carefully, enter their homes and see their way of life and their constructive and decorative curiosities.
The antique kasbah dwellings’ locks are among the most intriguing characteristics. Be sure to check them out; they are constructed of wood and have an intriguing mechanism.
The Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah is reachable from Marrakech as a day excursion or as a stop along your itinerary. You may also take advantage of the opportunity to visit the kasbah of Telouet or kasbah of Glaoui, the legendary El Hadj Thami El Mezouari el Glaoui, also known as referred to as the “Atlas king,” a historical figure.
How to get to Ait ben haddou:
There are several ways to get to Ait Ben Haddou, depending on your starting point and mode of transportation.
By Car:
If you have your own car, you can drive to Ait Ben Haddou from major cities such as Marrakech and Ouarzazate. The journey takes approximately 4 hours from Marrakech and 30 minutes from Ouarzazate. The road is well-maintained and offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
By Bus:
You can also take a bus to Ait Ben Haddou from major cities such as Marrakech and Ouarzazate. There are several bus companies that operate on these routes, and the journey takes between 4 and 6 hours depending on your starting point. It is recommended that you check the schedules and availability of transportation options before traveling to Ait Ben Haddou.
By Tour:
Many tour operators offer day trips or multi-day tours to Ait Ben Haddou from major cities such as Marrakech and Ouarzazate. These tours typically include transportation, a guided tour of the village, and sometimes other attractions in the surrounding area.
It is recommended that you bring comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, and a hat, as the village is located in a hot and sunny area.
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