UNESCO World Heritage SiteUNESCO Heritage
Morocco

Aït Benhaddou

Fortified ksar in the Ounila Valley, Morocco

Location

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Historical Context

About

Aït Benhaddou (Arabic: آيت بن حدّو) is a historic ighrem or ksar (fortified village) along the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakesh in Morocco. It is considered a great example of Moroccan earthen clay architecture and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.

Paleolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Chalcolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Classical Period
Post-Classical Period
Early Modern Period
Industrial Period
Contemporary Period
Temporal Epochs

Historical Timeline

Journey through time and discover key events in this site's history

Initial fortification

11th century

Surviving structures date

17th century

UNESCO inscription

1987

Pedestrian bridge completed

2011

Earthquake damage assessment

September 2023

Classification

Archaeological Features

Unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site

category

Storage Structures

Granaries
category

Defensive Structures

Defensive WallsTowersCastles
category

Public and Civic Structures

PlazasCaravanserai
category

Burial and Funerary Structures

Cemeteries
category

Religious and Ritual Structures

Mosques
category

Agricultural and Land Use Features

Threshing FloorsField Systems
category

Domestic and Habitation Structures

HousesVillagesTowns
category

Transportation and Communication Structures

RoadsBridgesCaravanserai
Knowledge Base

Frequently Asked Questions

Reference

Details

Country

Morocco

Coordinates

31.05° N, -7.13° E