Trip Moments Recommendations
Hollywood of Africa!
Ait Benhaddou is a fortified city, or Ksar, that was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. This city is located on the southern slopes of the High Atlas between the cities of Marrakech and Ouarzazate. It is characterized as a small village or town with buildings made of red sun-dried mud. The layout of the buildings is compact and closely set, with only a few larger buildings that are distinctively carved, possibly indicating they were castles or towers of the city. Each building is strategically constructed in a row to form a defensive wall by the warrior tribes controlling the Atlas Mountains. It is believed to have been built in the 17th century and was once a residential community area and a strategic military location with the Mellah River on the left side of the city, surrounded by the Ounila Valley. The city has been used as a filming location for over 20 movies, including Lawrence of Arabia, Jesus of Nazareth, Gladiator, Game of Thrones, The Mummy, and many more since 1963.