Ait BenHaddou is a fortified city on the path of one of the ancient caravan routes linking Marrakech and the edge of the Sahara. Square, red walled houses like steps lead up the mountain Ait BenHaddou was built to fortify, its base lined with palm trees. At the top you get a view over the desert on one side, fertile plains and the river on another, and behind them the snow capped peaks of the Andes. If this image seems surprisingly familiar to you it may be that you have seen it before, Ait BenHaddou is the star of many films, including ‘Lawrence of Arabia’, ‘Jesus of Nazareth’, ‘The Last Temptation of Christ’, ‘Gladiator’, ‘Alexander’ and ‘The Jewel of the Nile’.

Unfortunately the traditional technology doesn’t quite stand up against rainfall, and each time it rains here, its kasbahs have to be repaired.

Written by  World Reviewer Staff.

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