Zehra Nasim Haque wrote on social media that, Undoubtedly, the highlight of my recent trip to Morocco was the road trip across the High Atlas Mountains to the historically fortified kasbah of Ait ben Haddou.
Traversing the Atlas Mountains was quite a geologic spectacle. The patches of melting snow on the mountain peaks and slopes, the dramatic formation of ridges and gorges in hues of red, and valleys dotted with vegetation made for the most unusual landscape.
Ait ben Haddou’s walled settlement in the foothills of the High Atlas Mountains presents a highly striking image of sand castles looming out of the slopes. This UNESCO World Heritage Site features a collection of structures, dating back to the 17th century, made from earthen clay with traditional Berber decorative motifs on the ramparts and towers.
This place used to be an important trade route between Sub-Saharan regions and Marrakesh. Ait ben Haddou has served as a backdrop for many popular films like Gladiator, Game of Thrones, The Mummy, and Lawrence of Arabia.
