Along the southern border of the High Atlas in the heart of Morroco is the impressive village of Ait Benhaddou. The settlement was once situated along one of the country’s most important caravan routes but the region’s ancient trading routes are no longer used today.

A walled village, the Ksar, was founded in the 12th century by the people of Ait Aissa and its narrow lanes lead up to several fortress-like citadels, the five main Kasbahs of Ait Benhaddou.

For visitors the narrow, medieval lanes of the village are tantamount to a confusing maze however the plain but nevertheless expressive architecture of the houses has a unique and magical atmosphere.

Fortunately, the cultural and historical value of this unique Moroccan clay village has now been fully recognised otherwise each of the houses, towers and kasbahs of Ait Benhaddou may have long since disappeared beneath the sands of time.