Ait Ben Haddou

Ait Ben-Haddou is the most famous ksar in the Ounila Valley The ksar is a collection of clay structures that are fortified with high walls, angle towers, and a baffle gate.
The ksar is an amazing destination to visit because of its fantastical architecture and lovely surroundings.
Ait Ben-Haddou is the location for numerous critically acclaimed movies and television shows, including Game of Thrones, Laurence of Arabia, and Gladiator.

History of Ait Ben-Haddou

The palace’s placement next to a river is thought to have been strategically chosen for both economic and security reasons.
First, the region is naturally fortified, necessitating the need of two gates for entry and exit.
Second, the nearby river made cultivation simpler.
It is reported that up until the 1940s, the palace was home to over 98 families.
Today, only five families call Ksar home, which is unlikely.
One of the families converted the home into a coffee shop where they welcomed visitors and provided them with an overview of the way of life of the original occupants.
The Ait Ben-Haddou Palace was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987.
But the most recent restoration is moving extremely slowly.

Significance of Ait Ben-Haddou

The oldest buildings do not seem to be older than the 17th century, despite the fact that the structure of the oldest buildings in the southern Moroccan valleys dates to an early time.
Furthermore, what makes the Ksar important is that it was one of the various trading posts on the commercial route that links ancient Sudan and Marrakech by the Dra Valley and the Tizi-n’Telouet Pass.

Architecture and Structure of Ait Ben-Haddou

The traditional pre-Saharan habitat is Ait Ben-Haddou.
It is a superb illustration of the clay construction seen in Southern Morocco’s Pre-Saharan regions.
There are several different types of dwellings behind the high walls. Some of the houses are modest while others resemble small urban castles with high-angle towers and decorated upper sections. There are also buildings and community areas. The ksar has an architectural structure of 1300 square meters and is interspersed with long and narrow alleys, combined in a distinctive geometric shape.
The mosque, a public square, grain threshing grounds, a fortification and loft at the top of the hamlet, a caravanserai, two Muslim and Jewish cemeteries, and the Sanctuary of the Saint Sidi Ali or Amer are among the community sections of the ksar’s structure.

Best Time to Visit Ait Ben-Haddou

The local average temperature varies greatly.
The majority of the year is pleasant due to the humidity.
The summers are scorching, and the winters are cold with little probability of snow or rain.
The entire year is the ideal time to visit Ait Ben-Haddou.
The weather is hotter in June, July, and August.