Kasbah in Morocco

The Kasbah in Morocco is one of the biggest attractions not only the country but also one of the most iconic views of North Africa. Kasbah is inherently typical medina - Islamic fortress town. Morocco is often called the land of the thousand Kasbah, And that name is associated with places that are formed as intermediate stops along the routes of the ancient caravan trade routes, crossed by many traders and adventurers.

They all brought throughout the centuries with them their different customs and crafts, beliefs and skills. In return for shelter on the long way beyond the safe walls of Kasbah, they laid the foundations of socio-cultural exchanges in these North African lands.

Kasbah is a small town, backed by strong walls, which provides shelter for passing on the trade routes people. Such towns-closed fortresses in Morocco there are many. One of them is Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou. This ancient city is located on the long caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakesh.

This Kasbah is located right in the area of Souss-Massa-Draâ. Built on a high hill, as most of these ancient fortified media.

Under the hill is the river Ouarzazate. Today in Kasbah Ait Benhaddou have survived some pretty authentic buildings of the ancient city, but they are all subject to deterioration under adverse climatic effects.

Since 1987 Kasbah Ait Benhaddou is included in the list of World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. This old Islamic city fortress was used to capture a number of big productions, Kinney and The Mummy in 1999, Gladiator from 2000, Alexander, Lawrence of Arabia in 1962 and many more others.

Typical Kasbah in nature was a place where lived local leaders. If any enemy attacks, a Kasbah had a defensive function. Most Kasbah have a solid wall and high fence with no windows. Many of these fortified ancient cities are built on a hill, which makes it easier for protection against attacks. Some were built near the entrance of ports.

In North Africa, almost all towns had Kasbah, Which was necessary for the survival of the city. In those bygone ages, to have a building in Kasbah was a sign of high social status and demonstration of the wealth of a family. Until the early colonization of the local African territories in 1830, here were kept amazing model Kasbah.