The back story
Aït Benhaddou and Ouarzazate: the earthen ksar and the film studios
The fortified earthen village of Aït Benhaddou, on UNESCO’s list since 1987, and the film studios of Ouarzazate, over the Atlas.
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Petar Milošević · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia CommonsOver the High Atlas, in the province of Ouarzazate, the Ksar of Aït Benhaddou is a group of earthen buildings within high walls reinforced by corner towers, a striking example of the architecture of southern Morocco, UNESCO notes. Nearby Ouarzazate is a film town: the CLA and Atlas studios hold sets used in many productions, the tourist office notes.
The ksar
The houses of Aït Benhaddou crowd together within its defensive walls; it was inscribed on UNESCO’s list in 1987.
The studios
At the CLA studio in Ouarzazate you walk among sets used in many films, including a reconstruction of medieval Jerusalem (ONMT).
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Bjørn Christian Tørrissen · CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia CommonsOur advice: hire a driver for the mountain road, and stay overnight to see the ksar at dawn.
Why it's on our list
- The ksar
- The studios
Location
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