Вacking onto a pinkish sandstone hill, the ksar of Ait Benhaddou stands on the left bank of Wadi Mellah in Ounila Valley.

The wadi is usually dry, except in winter and spring. It can be reached on foot from the newly established village on the opposite bank.

Ait Benhaddou is a fortified village or ksar, located on a former caravan route that connected Marrakech with the Sahara. Although there are written records indicating that a ksar existed at this site in the 11th century, the current structures date from later periods, but none earlier than the 17th century. The technology and architecture of the ksar have not changed, so its current appearance, originating from the 17th century, reflects the architecture of earlier periods.

In North Africa, ksars, or fortified villages, are constructed, mostly in communities with Berber residents. The Latin word for fortress, castrum, is the source of the Berber term “ksar.”

It is important to distinguish a ksar from a citadel or kasbah. The military is based in a kasbah, which is essentially a fortress inside a fortress. Every ksar serves a civilian purpose in addition to its military one, housing public baths, shops, and a mosque. Inside ksar there is a kasbah, which can be seen on the photo. The kasbahs’ crenellated towers are decorated with blind arches and  geometric designs in negative relief, creating a play of light and shadow. Behind the kasbahs stand plain earth houses. Today, the entire ksar is inhabited by fewer than ten families.

Adobe, a mud and straw mixture, is used to construct the buildings in the Ksar instead of brick, stone, or concrete. Adobe layers may separate in the event of rain, requiring ongoing wall repairs.

The only way to enter and leave the ksar was via gates, which could be closed if needed.

At the top of the village, there is an agadir, or fortified granary. The agadir was not only used for storing grain, but also for safekeeping valuables such as money, jewelry, clothing, carpets, ammunition, documents, valuable manuscripts, and more. The agadir was always guarded.

The picturesque village of Aït Benhaddou, was often used as a filming location for epic series as Game of Thrones or movies like Gladiator and Lawrence of Arabia.

The most famous scene from the Game of Thrones series filmed in Ait Benhaddou is the one where Daenerys Targaryen conquers the city of Yunkai.