Ait ben haddou one of the magnificent places in Morocco to visit. Kasbah ait Ben-Haddou considers one of a few universal heritage recognized by UNESCO. In an air-conditioned van, see ogle canyons, palm groves, and mountain villages. Cross the impressive Tizi n’Tichka mountain pass, at a height of over 2000.

The site of the ksar has been defended since the Almoravid dynasty in the 11th century. Although none of the contemporary structures are thought to date from before the 17th century, they were most likely constructed using the same methods and designs that had been employed for generations. The position of the site in the Ounila Valley, along with one of the key trans-Saharan trade routes, gave it a strategic significance. This road led to the Tizi n’Tichka pass, which was one of the few crossings of the Atlas Mountains between Marrakech and the Draa Valley on the edge of the Sahara. Other kasbahs and ksour may be found all along this road, including the Tamdaght Kasbah to the north.

The ksar itself is now only sparsely populated by a few households. The valley’s depopulation has occurred throughout time as a result of its loss of strategic importance in the twentieth century. The majority of the locals now live in contemporary homes in the hamlet on the other side of the river, and rely on agriculture and, in particular, the tourism trade for a living. In 2011, a new pedestrian bridge connecting the old ksar and the modern village was erected, with the goal of making the ksar more accessible and possibly encouraging residents to return to their historic homes.

Ait ben haddou movies and Series

A large number of films shot in Morocco have used AIt Ben haddou as a location, including:

Sodom and Gomorrah (1963)
Oedipus Rex (1967)
The Man Who Would Be King (film) (1975)
The Message (1976)
Jesus of Nazareth (1977)
Time Bandits (1981)
Marco Polo (1982)
The Jewel of the Nile (1985)
The Living Daylights (1987)
The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)
The Sheltering Sky (1990)
Kundun (1997)
The Mummy (1999)
Gladiator (2000) [13]
Alexander (2004)
Kingdom of Heaven (2005)
Babel (2006)
One Night with the King (2006)
Prince of Persia (2010)
Son of God (film) (2014)
Queen of the Desert (film) (2015)
David Attenborough: A life on our planet (2020)

The old settlement of At Benhaddou is still populated today, albeit only by a few surviving Berber families (between five and 10 of them, depending on who you ask).

Ait ben haddou Materials for construction

The ksar is totally constructed of rammed earth, adobe, clay bricks, and wood. Rammed earth (also known as pisé, tabia, or al-luh) was a very practical and cost-effective material, although it needed to be maintained on a regular basis. It was formed of compressed dirt and mud, which was generally blended with other elements to help it stick together. The constructions of Ait Benhaddou, as well as other kasbahs and ksours in this part of Morocco, were typically made of a mixture of soil and straw, which was permeable and quickly damaged by rain over time. As a result, after being abandoned for a few decades, these villages can begin to deteriorate. Taller structures at Ait Benhaddou were composed of rammed earth up to the first story, while the upper storeys were made of wood.

Ait ben haddou Stalls on the street

Because of its employment as a Hollywood filming site and its placement on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1987, the ksar has been extensively renovated in recent years.
The ksar has “kept its architectural authenticity in terms of configuration and materials,” according to UNESCO, by continuing to use traditional construction materials and techniques and mostly avoiding new concrete structures. The location is being monitored and managed by a local committee.

In Morocco, you can visit the Atlas mountains or the stunning Moroccan Sahara desert.