Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou in Morocco - is erected in the middle of the desert fortress town, like a fabulous mirage. This man-made fortified city has a dozen centuries, stands on the hill under the rays of the scorching sun, surrounded by the endless sands.

Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou was built in XI century. as a fortified settlement, which was supposed to guard the passing of the imperial city of Marrakech, the city of Timbuktu caravans. For the fortified walls of the fortress depleted desert travelers stopped to rest and overnight. Here, they have always been able to restock food and water, as well as to take on the road with experienced guides.

After the Trans-Saharan trade lost its importance and greatly diminished, Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou gradually fell into disrepair, then the population gradually moved to the new village, which is located on the right bank of Ouarzazate. Until 1990, the city was a ruin, at that time there lived no more than a dozen families.

Such structures, built in the tradition of Moroccan architecture, in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco are not uncommon, but none of them can compare to the magnitude and beauty of the legendary Ait Ben Haddou. The picturesque old town is composed of dozens of earthen forts. Kasbah and their towers were elaborately decorated with original openwork ornaments. Through a set of round arches between buildings are narrow streets, creating a complex maze of the medina. On the slopes of the streets turn into a beautiful multi-tiered terraces formed flat-roofed houses.

Filmmakers have long been used Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou as a location for filming movies. There have been removed such notable films as "Alexander" (2004), "Gladiator" (2000), "The Mummy" (1999) and Jewel of the Nile (1985) and others.

The last time in the old town are the restoration works, so the city has become a popular tourist destination.