An ancient city seemingly preserved in time with beauty and historical significance throughout (Image: Getty)
Tucked away in a former caravan route between Marrakesh and the Sahara lies Aït Benhaddou, an ancient city in south Morocco that’s been made famous by Gladiator and Game of Thrones.
The stunning fortress, also called a ksar, is a jewel that earned the title in 1987 thanks to its unique buildings and winding narrow streets.
Most of its fortified structures are made of straw, compressed mud and wood, giving the village its homely earthen tones.
Now largely deserted, the village has seen its population decline since the 20th century as most residents now live in more modern homes across the river.
While more than 90 families lived there in the 1940s, only a few Berber households remain in Aït Benhaddou.
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The region’s unique architecture earned itself the title of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Image: Getty)
Film director Ridley Scott fell so in love with the region he chose it as his filming location for one of the most epic scenes in his Gladiator film.
It was when Proximo purchases General Maximus (Russell Crowe) and says to him and the other slaves: “I did not pay good money for you for your company. I paid it so that I could profit from your death.”
So inspired by Aït Benhaddou, Scott chose the spot once again when he came back to shoot the Holy Land scenes for his movie Kingdom of Heaven.
Aït Benhaddou also starred in Lawrence of Arabia and The Mummy including Games of Thrones with the most recognisable location portraying Yunkai being filmed right there in this ancient town of Ait Ben Haddou.
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This African spot has been featured in Games of Throne, Gladiator and Laurence of Arabia (Image: Getty)
The outdoor activities are plentiful there too including bike riding, hiking, camel riding, with art galleries featuring local work found along its windy streets with a promise of one of the most beautiful sunsets to witness found at the top kasbah to rock to.
“Ait Ben Haddou in Morocco is a very interesting UNESCO World Heritage Site and an absolute must-see if you’re in the country,” wrote one review on TripAdvisor.
“This ancient ksar is a stunning example of traditional Moroccan earthen clay architecture.”
Another added: “This experience went certainly beyond our expectations in a positive way.”