After our excursion to the old Kasbah at Telouet yesterday we were ready for more, so after a rest and a swim in the afternoon we headed off for the old Kasbah after which our host village is named, Ait Ben Haddou – family (or clan) of the son of Haddou. This seventeenth century Kasbah is built on a hill with commanding views all round. It is now almost empty, although it is the home to some artists who create amazing pictures by etching on paper with an almost colourless medium and then passing the paper over a gas flame to bring the colours to life. There are also the usual stalls and shops for the many tourists who visit this UNESCO world heritage site, as well as a musician playing his unusual bowed instrument.
The Kasbah has been used as the backdrop for a number of films including Lawrence of Arabia, Kingdom of Heaven, the Jewel of the Nile and perhaps most famously - at least for us - Gladiator. A gladiatorial arena was built for the early combat scenes and many locals were used as extras. At least one local has a photograph with Russell Crowe, which she has had framed and now hangs proudly in her home. The arena is no longer there but we were shown a photograph.
After climbing to the very top to enjoy the views, we headed back to our digs for another delicious meal of chicken tajine and lentil stew before retiring for the night in preparation for our long drive to the Atlantic coast.
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