Photos of Aït Benhaddou
About Aït Benhaddou
Aït Benhaddou is an old fortified village climbing up a hillside above the Ounila River. It was originally a stop on the old caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech, and today it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The whole village is built from red earth and straw, with tall square towers, tight winding alleys and houses stacked one above the other right up the slope. The ruins of an old granary sit on the hilltop, and the climb up gives you an amazing view over the village, the river and the desert stretching out endlessly in every direction. You might also recognize it from the movies, since it's been used for scenes everything from Lawrence of Arabia to Gladiator to Game of Thrones. Most families now live in the newer village across the river, but a few still call the old village home. The classic shot is from the riverbank with the earthen towers rising above the water and palm trees. The river is shallow enough that you can often cross on stepping stones so you will have lots of options to experiment with your exactl composition. Sunrise and sunset are the best times to be here. The low sun turns the earth walls a rich golden orange, and there are fewer crowds early in the day. It's free to wander in through most of the town, although a few private houses do charge a small fee if you want to look inside them. Ideally try to plan on staying the night nearby so you can catch both sunset from the granary and an early morning before the tour buses start to arrive for the day. (Aït Benhaddou, Drâa-Tafilalet, Morocco)
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