Aït Ben Haddou (or Benhaddou) is a fortified traditional village located south of the Atlas, a few km north of the road connecting Marrakech with Ouarzazate. In old times the caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech passed along Aït Ben Haddou, and the Berber inhabitants controlled the trade between Marrakech and Timbuktu. The village is in a remarkably well preserved status. Most of the inhabitants live in the nearby settlement across the river, with only four families left living in the old village. Up to 1000 people lived in Aït Ben Haddou between the 12th and 16th centuries. in the 17th century a kasbah (fortress) was built on the hill above the village. Aït Ben Haddou has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987.
01 Ait Ben Haddou 02 Ait Benhaddou
03 River 04 Path 05 Souvenir shop 06 Souvenir shop
07 Souvenir shop 08 Alley 09 Tower 10 Tower 11 Fortified tower
12 Ait Ben Haddou and river 13 Ait Ben Haddou
14 City walls and gate 15 Citadel
16 Kasbah 17 Staircase
18 Ait Ben Haddou from above 19 Ait Benhaddou from above 20 Ait Ben Haddou from above
21 Ait Benhaddou sunset 22 Ait Ben Haddou
23 Ait Benhaddou sunset
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