Morocco fortress village hopes to draw 'Game of Thrones' fans

Time seems to have stopped at this UNESCO World heritage site

Last updated: February 18, 2020 | 11:36

AFP and Compiled by Christian Borbon, Digital Content Producer

2 MIN READ

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Millions worldwide may have seen the desert fortress in the hit fantasy series 'Game of Thrones', but fewer know they can visit the Moroccan village of Ait-Ben-Haddou.

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The fortified old settlement at the foot of the majestic Atlas mountains enchanted audiences in the HBO series and also served as a dusty backdrop in Ridley Scott's epic swords-and-sandals film 'Gladiator'.

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But unlike other famous locations from movie and television history, this UNESCO World Heritage Site has so far missed out on a mass influx of tourism - something some of its inhabitants are eager to change.

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'Several people have told me that they came here to see the filming location of 'Game of Thrones',' said Ahmed Baabouz, a local tour guide. 'There is tourism linked to cinema here but frankly we have not developed it to the extent it could be.'

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Ait-Ben-Haddou is southern Morocco's most famous fortress. Time seems to have stopped at the site overlooking a valley some 30 kilometres (18.6 miles) from the town of Ouarzazate.

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After passing through the imposing entrance way, visitors navigate a labyrinth of winding alleys that eventually lead onto a public square where the settlement's inhabitants once gathered.

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There is a mosque and two cemeteries - one for Muslims and one for Jews. Most inhabitants have long since departed though, with a few homes converted into stalls selling handicrafts.

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The fortress is an ideal film setting, located a short distance from the studios of Ouarzazate, the 'Mecca' of Moroccan cinema. Productions ranging from 'Lawrence of Arabia' to 'The Mummy' have been filmed here.

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More recently, scenes from the cult series 'Game of Thrones' were shot at Ait-Ben-Haddou, with the site standing in for the fictional Yellow City of Yunkai which is conquered by Daenerys Targaryen, a key character in the 'GOT' universe.

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Hammadi, 61, is a privileged witness to the location's cinematic history.

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'All of these productions have contributed to the reputation of the region,' he said, grinning widely.

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Hammadi himself has appeared as an extra in a number of films.

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And while like most people he lives in a more modern home in a village on the other side of the valley, he continues to return to Ait-Ben-Haddou to welcome tourists.

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A man sits atop the Kasbah (ancient fortress) of Ait-Ben-Haddou, about 32 kilometres northwest of the city of Ouarzazate south of Morocco's High Atlas mountains..

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