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Morocco’s Aït Ben Haddou: From ’Game of Thrones’ Set to UNESCO Heritage Site
Thursday 20 February 2020, by
If there is a village that attracts the most filmmakers, due to its picturesque character in Morocco, it is Aït Ben Haddou. Many directors have set up their tents there for the filming of several cult films and series, such as "Game of Thrones".
Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the village of Aït Ben Haddou, located 30 km from the Ouarzazate studios (center), is the quintessential place for cinema. The collective earthen dwellings make it the most famous of the ksars in southern Morocco.
There, the 7th art expresses itself freely in a paradisiacal setting. "Lawrence of Arabia", "The Mummy", the historical drama "Gladiator" are among the productions made in this ksar. Including scenes from "Game of Thrones". The site is the fictional city of Yunkai, conquered by Daenerys Targaryen, a key character in the "GoT" universe.
"All these works have contributed to the renown of the region," confides to AFP Hammadi, 61, an extra in many films, including "Gladiator". This man, who has lived for some time in a more modern village, on the other side of the valley, has never ceased to express his attachment to Aït Ben Haddou, where he organizes tourist visits.