Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou, World Heritage Site in Morocco

Ait-Ben-Haddou is located in the interior of central Morocco. This is one of the well-preserved fortified villages called Ksar. The houses are surrounded by high defensive walls, and unique multi-story buildings can be seen in the village.

Here, a World Heritage enthusiast explains why the settlement of Ait-Ben-Haddou is a World Heritage Site in an easy-to-understand manner. Read this and you will definitely learn more about Ait Ben-Haddou!

What is Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou, World Heritage Site in Morocco?

The hills of Ouarzazate province in central Morocco, a place on the route between Sudan on the east side of the Sahara Desert and Marrakech in the north, are dotted with several fortified villages called Ksar.

Among them, Ait-Ben-Haddou is well-preserved and retains many of the architectural features that were unique and typical of the region before Islamization. The village is surrounded by a defensive wall, with many houses clustered together, and is characterized by the presence of a tower cum cellar called Agadir on top of the hill. Although the oldest buildings date back to the 17th century, the village’s origins date back to the 7th century. The houses are made of clay, which is not durable, and no structures have survived more than two centuries.

The old town is a closed space with houses packed tightly together. The narrow passageways are like a maze. Many of the buildings are multi-story, with stables on the first floor, storehouses on the second floor, and living spaces on the third floor. Within the walls, there are mosques and troop lodges, and tombs are also registered as a World Heritage Site. Ait-Ben-Haddou is valued for the fact that it still retains the architectural style of pre-Islamic villages.

For what reason is the Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou on the World Heritage List?

Ait-Ben-Haddou was recognized by

Registration Criteria (iv)
The fact that Ait-Ben-Haddou is one of the best preserved villages in southern Morocco.

Registration Criteria (v)
Ait-Ben-Haddou means that the culture of central Morocco still remains and traditional village life can still be seen.

Conclusions and Impressions of a World Heritage Maniac

Ksar, a fortified village in central Morocco, is highly regarded for its very well-preserved condition and the fact that it is still lined with houses made of clay and people still live there.

Incidentally, perhaps because they fit the image of “desert villages” so well, they are often chosen as filming locations for movies, and are famous as the location for “Lawrence of Arabia” and “Gladiator”. However, since many tourists visit the area, not many people live in Ksar today, and most people live in houses on the other side of the river….It is a tourist attraction, isn’t it?

*The content here is a discussion derived from a survey of World Heritage Site enthusiasts.As for the data, interpretation differs depending on the medium.