In the past, Ouarzazate was a small strategic crossing point for African traders to reach the northern cities of Morocco and even Europe. The town grew considerably and became an administrative centre and customs post during the French colonial period.
Kasbah Ait-Ben-Haddou
Don’t miss the kasbah Ait-Ben-Haddou, which stretches along the Ounila river and has been filmed on dozens of occasions, including major productions such as Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, The Mummy and Jewel of the Nile. Most of the town’s inhabitants live in the new town across the river, but some families still live in the kasbah. Ait-Ben-Hadu has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.
Inside the defensive walls, reinforced by angle towers and pierced by a baffle gate, houses are crowded together. It is an extraordinary ensemble of buildings that provides a comprehensive overview of pre-Saharan earth building techniques. The oldest buildings do not appear to date from before the 17th century, although their structure and technique spread very early in the valleys of southern Morocco.
Kasbah Taourirt
The kasbah Taourirt is one of the best-preserved Berber fortresses in Morocco. A visit to its interior and exterior is an experience that will not disappoint travellers to the south of the country. From the outside, you can see the mastery of the local builders in the use of mud bricks, which they use not only as a structural element but also as a decorative one: their geometric shapes are given depth and relief by the shadow play on the façade. This mastery continues in the interior of the kasbah Taourirt, particularly in the beautiful wooden coffered ceilings in some rooms and in the tiling that runs along the upper and lower parts of the walls.
In recent years, Ouarzazate has become one of the most important locations for the national and international film industry. There are many film studios in the region that work with international production companies, as it offers an impressive natural landscape: mountains, deserts, rivers and oases. Many historical film producers and directors have chosen Ouarzazate as the setting for their films, including Oscar-winning films such as Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Star Wars (1977), The Jewel of the Nile (1985), The Living Daylights (1987), The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), Kundun (1997), Legionnaire (1998), The Mummy (1999), Gladiator (2000), Asterix and Obelix: Mission Cleopatra (2002), Kingdom of Heaven (2005), The Hills Have Eyes (2006) and Gladiator 2 (2024).
In addition to their cinematographic function, these studios are a major tourist attraction and there are guided tours and film tours designed for the most enthusiastic tourists.
