During our 6-day desert tour from Marrakech to Fes, we will visit the fortress of Ait Benhaddou. It is located near Ouarzazate at the very tip of the High Atlas Mountains. The fortified town was designated a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1987 and remains so to this day.
To me, Ait Benhaddou is the pinnacle of Moroccan architecture. Furthermore, the fact that it was founded by Berbers, but with a Berber twist, distinguishes it. Towers and walls as tall as the sky surround the city, which was built as a defensive fortress. Its towers are decorated in a unique way with Moroccan clay art.
To tell the truth, it is said that this mansion was built in 11th-century Morocco by a wealthy family member named Thami el Glaoui. Despite the fact that many of its residents have left, the building has stood for many decades. The village’s population has shrunk to just 40 people. In fact, the majority of them now live in a settlement on the other side of the river from where they previously lived. They must have a large number of visitors in order to survive. Every year, approximately 130,000 people visit the area.
The Kasbah is a popular filming location in addition to attracting tourists. As examples, consider Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia, and many others. Without a doubt, the generosity of the locals and Moroccans in general draws visitors from within and outside of Morocco to this area.
