The Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou - Morocco

#morocco #aitbenhaddou #andy1803
Ait Ben Haddou is certainly one of the most famous attractions of the entire Morocco. Located in the Ouarzazate district, on the southern slopes of High Atlas, this settlement is well known for the Ksar, a fortified village well protected by defensive walls and towers. Houses inside the fortification are crowded together. Some of them are similar to little castle with their own towers and gates. Inside the settlement just narrow alleys, mostly with stairs, to climb over the hill. There is not space enough for cars or barrows. The only way to move around the Ksar is walking or riding a donkey.
The Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou is a well preserved example of earthen architecture of the pre-Saharan regions of Morocco. The site is an UNESCO world heritage.

A part from its architectural and historical value, Ait Ben Haddou is a magic place. Since your first steps in the valley, crossing the river on sandbags means diving into the past centuries. Camels feed just out of the fortified walls. The wind and the river play their music in the air. Walking along the stairs from the bottom of the village upwards is a full immersion into rural life of Berbers people. And, at the end of the walk, You’ll reach the flat top of the hill where a spectacular 360 degrees view will surprise you. The Ounila Valley is in front of you and the Atlas Mountains covered by snow behind.

This site is also famous as a perfect location of several movies production (the Gladiator, i.e.) and I am sure that, after one day spent inside the Ksar, breathing its epic atmosphere, you’ll understand why.
To those who love photography, I suggest to stay overnight (there are several nice hotels in Ait Ben Haddou) to be on site at sunset when sun grazing light hits the walls of the buildings and makes colors so brilliant.

This video has been filmed with an Olympus Om-D Em5 MKII mirrorless camera and the little Eken H8R action cam. Photos have been shot with a Nikon D3100 by Francesca Sparatore.
Music track is “Arabian Fallnight” by Douglas Maxwell and is from YouTube Library.
Post-production with Cyberlink PowerDirector 15.

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