Gladiator Venue

On the same day that we went quad biking, we also visited the stunning Ait Ben Haddou,

 so it was a very busy day.

This mud village is a Unesco World Heritage site and has been used 

for many films including "Gladiator."

The tourist potential for this site has been recognised and about 15 families now live here. It is hoped that more will return after renovations. Most villagers live on the other side of the river in newer properties.

The site was also one of the many trading posts on the commercial route for caravans, linking ancient Sudan to Marrakesh by the Dra Valley and the Tizi-n'Telouet Pass.

The buildings closest to the river are called kasbahs.

A kasbah has high walls, usually without windows with castle like structures on each corner.

From these, enemies could be spotted.

 The middle area usually had a well and animals could be brought in for safety.

Every time it rains more of these buildings are washed away and there is a continuous battle to preserve them...... blue plastic is used these days.

The central area of the village is on a hill with 360 degree views.

The building there is called an agadir and it was used to store the villagers wealth. It was guarded by 4 sentries and it was hoped that this would discourage enemies from attacking the kasbahs.

I wonder who sits here for their mint tea.

See how green the fields are after the recent rain.

It was difficult to pass by these lovely shops, but we were on a tight schedule.

But we did visit an artist in his studio. 

As we arrived, we found him doing solar pyrography!!!

He used natural paint ...... tea, saffron and indigo...... for his myriad work. 

It was heated over a flame to darken the colours.

 I bought a little painting as a souvenir. 

A fascinating visit and even more fascinating to wonder about it`s past history......

..... the sight of the caravans, living in fear of enemies, keeping the buildings together.

A hard life I should imagine.