Ait Benhaddou – Morocco’s Most Famous Movie Location
There’s no doubt that Ait Benhaddou is Morocco’s most famous movie location. This is a kasbah – a dwelling characterized with high walls and are connected to one another. The alleys are small and towering mud bricks are elaborately decorated.
This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its great example of true Southern Moroccan architecture.
Ait Benhaddou – Morocco’s Most Famous Movie Location
Ait Benhaddou is in the province of Ouarzazate.
Ait Benhaddou – Morocco’s Most Famous Movie Location.
It takes almost 4 hours by bus to get there from Marrakesh.
Ait Benhaddou – Morocco’s Most Famous Movie Location.
As you can see, the structures climb up on the edge of High Atlas Mountains.
Ait Benhaddou – Morocco’s Most Famous Movie Location.
The towers, palaces and houses are made of red-clay bricks.
Ait Benhaddou – Morocco’s Most Famous Movie Location.
Some of the towers are decorated with motifs and other designs.
Ait Benhaddou – Morocco’s Most Famous Movie Location.
A small tribe of people thrived here long time ago.
Ait Ben Haddou – Morocco’s Most Famous Movie Location.
Though the alleys are narrow and small, the community has a mosque, public squares, two cemeteries (for Muslims and Jewish), etc…
Ait Ben Haddou – Morocco’s Most Famous Movie Location.
Because of its unique beauty and architectural marvel, the place became a UNESCO World Heritage in 1987.
Ait Ben Haddou – Morocco’s Most Famous Movie Location.
Today, there are very few people who still live there, but mostly those who are selling tourist trap souvenirs.
Ait Ben Haddou – Morocco’s Most Famous Movie Location.
There used to be a river at the bottom of the mountain but now, it’s nowhere.
Ait Ben Haddou – Morocco’s Most Famous Movie Location.
What makes Ait Benhaddou famous is the fact that big names in Hollywood came to shoot historical, biographical and Biblical movies.
Ait Ben Haddou – Morocco’s Most Famous Movie Location.
The first movie shot here was Alibaba in 1954.
Ait Ben Haddou – Morocco’s Most Famous Movie Location.
Brad Pitt’s Babel was shot here and later won Best Motion Picture – Drama at the Golden Globe and Best Director at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival.
Ait Ben Haddou – Morocco’s Most Famous Movie Location.
Another movie was the historical epic Gladiator which earned Russel Crowe’s Best Actor at the Oscar’s in 2000.
Ait Ben Haddou – Morocco’s Most Famous Movie Location.
Jake Gylenhaal came here too for his film, Prince of Persia.
Ait Ben Haddou – Morocco’s Most Famous Movie Location.
In 2004, Oliver Stone made a historical epic film here with Colin Farrell as Alexander.
Ait Ben Haddou – Morocco’s Most Famous Movie Location.
For complete list of the movies shot in this location, click here.
Ait Ben Haddou – Morocco’s Most Famous Movie Location.
How to get there:
Check with the reception in your hotel or hostel. They have a lot of one-day tours you can join that goes outside and beyond Marrakech.
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