A fortress of sand
A revelation of pure beauty listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Aït Ben Haddou Kasbah is a stunning work of architecture overlooking the Ounila Valley. A graceful ensemble of adobe kasbahs, this is one of the oldest and most impressive ksars in all Morocco. The earliest of its buildings, a granary standing on the hilltop, dates back to the 11th century. The village gradually grew up around it over the course of the centuries, adding houses, more granaries, cowsheds, a well, and protective surrounding walls.Architecturally, this museum-village, located some thirty kilometres from Ouarzazate, is without parallel. Its outer walls sport few shutters and only two doors, making sure that its inhabitants knew who was coming and going, while inside, a public square, a mosque, a Koranic school and the village residences jostle for space. Immortalised in such films as “Lawrence of Arabia”, “Babel” and “Indiana Jones”, this magnificent fortress stands radiant and untouched by time, an uncut diamond shining proudly forth from its rocky setting.
