When one thinks of Morocco, one recalls the colorful culture set against the backdrop of a desert, a rich culture with folklore and traditions. Morocco is also famous for its citadels, known as Kasar or Kasbahs, depending on their scale. Kasars are fortified houses whereas Kasbahs are fortified villages made of multiple Kasars.
Morocco has maintained and preserved these habitations in the region, leading to the formation of ‘The Route of the 1000 Kasbahs’. These Kasbahs played an integral role in trade relations between various cities. It provided traders a place to rest and replenish on their journeys that would last multiple months. One such kasbah is the UNESCO world heritage site, ‘The Aït Benhaddou Kasbah.’
Aït Benhaddou Kasbah is named after its founder, Ben Haddou, who established a tribe in 757. It housed tribes belonging to the Beber origin. The Kasbhas established in Aït Benhaddou date back to the 17th Century and have been preserved with their original character even to this date.
Why is it unique?
The Citadels of Aït Benhaddou are famous for their earthen mountain-like construction. The Kasbah sits in contrast with the sandy planes of Morocco. The use of adobe-style walls to build multi-storied habitats is something to be marveled at. Having been made in a time with limited access to technology, the Kasbah shows the complex nature of human settlements and the relationship between the culture of the Beber tribe and the spaces they occupy.
The nuanced construction with traditional and vernacular technologies makes Aït Benhaddou a place of mystery and marvel. Its unique aesthetic has made it a favorite place to shoot various movies. It can be seen in the infamous Game of Thrones series, and movies such as Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Sodom and Gomorrah (1963), Oedipus Rex (1967), The Man Who Would Be King (1975), The Message (1976), Jesus of Nazareth (1977), Time Bandits (1981), Marco Polo (1982), The Jewel of the Nile (1985), The Living Daylights (1987), The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), The Sheltering Sky (1990), Kundun (1997), The Mummy (1999), Gladiator (2000) [13], Alexander (2004), Kingdom of Heaven (2005), Babel (2006), One Night with the King (2006), Prince of Persia (2010), Son of God (2014), Queen of the Desert (2015), A Life On Our Planet (2020).
Culture, People, and Traditions
Aït Benhaddou served as a place of rest and rejuvenation for traders who frequented between Marrakesh and the Sahara. Before its status as a World Heritage Centre in 1987, documented evidence suggests it was a living town inhabited by about 98 families until the 1940s. Currently, the Kasbah houses five families who run establishments for tourists who visit the citadel. The Kasbah is also said to have an inn, mosque, granary, and other services. It would also have a ruler and a presiding court of law to protect against desert raids.
Like any ancient settlement, Aït Benhaddou Kasbah was also located close to the river Qunila. It is noted that the more affluent class of society within the Kasbah lived closer to the Mosque and the river, resulting in these structures being about five stories tall.
Women residing in the Kasbahs would often occupy the 2nd story or be found on the ground floor cooking meals on less busy days, while the kings would come and go as per their royal duties. Aït Benhaddou was considered to be a Bebar Oasis for travelers and the residents of the Kasbah.
Art and Architecture
The fortified settlement earns its unique status due to its exquisite architecture. Traditionally built using the adobe method of construction, rammed earth is mixed with straws and natural fibers for enhanced adhesion. Wood is also a commonly used material. The nature of the building is hyper-localized and does not depend on materials from other regions of the world. The settlement layout is characterized as an urban labyrinth, with narrow streets that twist and turn around houses. It occupies a land that is 1300 sq. m and is accessible by three main entrances.
It is built to resemble a mountain and has multiple levels accessible through steps. The fascinating fact about Aït Benhaddou and its conservation is that, to this date, UNESCO has maintained a hundred percent authenticity when it comes to building materials used in the project. This in itself is considered a feat due to the fact that adobe construction is porous and often begins to deteriorate within a decade of construction. Aït Benhaddou, with its tall structure, still stands today, with rammed earth forming the foundation and the initial few stories followed by lighter adobe construction to make the Kasbah more structural.
A note to the travelers
When discussing this marvelous citadel, one cannot forget to mention the mesmerizing views the Kasbah provides. Many travelers have recounted the magical sunsets enjoyed atop Aït Benhaddou and the infamous hot chocolates at the cafes. In a world so engrossed with staying connected and online, Aït Benhaddou reminds you of a time when societies thrived in presumably the harshest conditions while filling their lives with art, culture, and rich human experiences.
Online sources:
- Centre, U.W.H. (no date) Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou, UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Available at: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/444/ (Accessed: 04 March 2024).
- Jacobs, H. (no date) One of the most famous places in the world is a tiny desert town in Morocco where everything from ‘Game of thrones’ to ‘gladiator’ was filmed, Business Insider. Available at: https://www.businessinsider.com/ait-benhaddou-game-of-thrones-gladiator-filming-locations-tour-2019-1#like-many-ksars-at-benhaddou-is-built-along-a-water-source-the-ounila-river-which-sprouts-palm-trees-and-other-desert-vegetation-along-its-banks-5 (Accessed: 04 March 2024).
- The ksar of ait benhaddou in Morocco: Everything you need to know about the kasbah of Aït Benhaddou (no date) Adventure tours | Active small group holidays | Encounters Travel. Available at: https://www.encounterstravel.com/blog/ait-benhaddou (Accessed: 04 March 2024).
- Safaa, S. (2022) The fairy Ksar Ait Benhaddou: History & Travel Guide, Moroccanzest. Available at: https://moroccanzest.com/ait-benhaddou/ (Accessed: 04 March 2024).
