Ait ben Haddou, Morocco
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Ait Ben Haddou

 

Photo by Valentina Marconi

Ait ben Haddou (also spelled Ait benhaddou) is the most spectacular fortified village or ksar in southern Morocco. And this frequently filmed location is even more impressive in person that it is on screen. Wander the streets of the mudbrick village. Imagine life as a Berber. Tour the ksar independently or hire a guide and view the village through local eyes. This World Heritage Site is more than a great film set.
What is a Ksar?
Ait Ben Haddou

Ait Ben Haddou

Valentina Marconi

 
A ksar, plural ksour, is a fortified village built by North African Berbers. Unlike a castle or kasbah, ksour are multi-layered and contain more than one building. In addition to homes, each ksar has a granary, oven, mosque, bath and shops. Ksour are made of cut stone or a mud-clay called pisé. They have corner towers that taper at the top. The outer walls of a ksar are windowless but have small slits to let light in.
 
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