The ksar of Ait ben haddou, is a group of earthen buildings surrounded by high
walls, is a traditional pre-Saharan habitat. The houses crowd together
within the defensive walls, which are reinforced by corner towers.
Ait-Ben-Haddou, in Ouarzazate province, is a striking example of the
architecture of southern Morocco.
Brief synthesis
Located in the foothills on the southern slopes of the High Atlas in
the Province of Ouarzazate, the site of Ait-Ben-Haddou is the most
famous ksar in the Ounila Valley. The Ksar of Aït-Ben-Haddou is a
striking example of southern Moroccan architecture. The ksar is a mainly
collective grouping of dwellings. Inside the defensive walls which are
reinforced by angle towers and pierced with a baffle gate, houses crowd
together - some modest, others resembling small urban castles with their
high angle towers and upper sections decorated with motifs in clay
brick - but there are also buildings and community areas. It is an
extraordinary ensemble of buildings offering a complete panorama of
pre-Saharan earthen construction techniques. The oldest constructions do
not appear to be earlier than the 17th century, although their
structure and technique were propagated from a very early period in the
valleys of southern Morocco. The site was also one of the many trading
posts on the commercial route linking ancient Sudan to Marrakesh by the
Dra Valley and the Tizi-n'Telouet Pass. Architecturally, the living
quarters form a compact grouping, closed and suspended. The community
areas of the ksar include a mosque, a public square, grain threshing
areas outside the ramparts, a fortification and a loft at the top of the
village, an caravanserai, two cemeteries (Muslim and Jewish) and the
Sanctuary of the Saint Sidi Ali or Amer. The Ksar of Ait- Ben-Haddou is a
perfect synthesis of earthen architecture of the pre-Saharan regions of
Morocco.
Criterion (iv): The Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou is an eminent example of a
ksar in southern Morocco illustrating the main types of earthen
constructions that may be observed dating from the 17th century in the
valleys of Dra, Todgha, Dadès and Souss.
Criterion (v): The Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou illustrates the traditional
earthen habitat, representing the culture of southern Morocco, which
has become vulnerable as a result of irreversible socio-economic and
cultural changes
Integrity (2009)
All the structures comprising the ksar are located within the
boundaries of the property and the buffer zone protects its environment.
The earthen buildings are very vulnerable due to lack of maintenance
and regular repair resulting from the abandonment of the ksar by its
inhabitants. The CERKAS (Centre for the conservation and rehabilitation
of the architectural heritage of atlas and sub-atlas zones) monitors,
with difficulty, respect for the visual integrity of the property.
Authenticity (2009)
In comparison to other ksour of the region, the Ksar of
Ait-Ben-Haddou has preserved its architectural authenticity with regard
to configuration and materials. The architectural style is well
preserved and the earthen constructions are perfectly adapted to the
climatic conditions and are in harmony with the natural and social
environment.
The large houses in the lower part of the village, with well
conserved decorative motifs, are regularly maintained. The construction
materials used still remain earth and wood. The inclination to
introduce cement has so far been unsuccessful, thanks to the continued
monitoring of the «Comité de contrôle des infractions» (Rural Community,
Town Planning Division, Urban Agency, CERKAS). Only a few lintels and
reinforced concrete escaped its vigilance, but they have been hidden by
earthen rendering. Particular attention is also paid to doors and
windows giving on to the lanes, to ensure that the wood is not replaced
by metal.
Protection and management requirements (2009)
Protection measures essentially relate to the different laws for the
listing of historic monuments and sites, in particular the Law 22-80
concerning Moroccan heritage. The Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou currently has a
five-year management plan (2007-2012). This management plan is the
result of two years of reflection and workshops involving all the
persons and institutions concerned with the future of the site, in
particular the local populations. The recommendations of this plan are
being implemented. Furthermore, two management committees have been
established (a local committee and a national one) in which all the
parties are represented and cooperate in decision-making. As well as
managing the property, CERKAS ensures coordination in the implementation
of this management plan
Description
Aït-Ben-Haddou is an outstanding example of a southern Moroccan ksar illustrating the main types of construction to be observed in the valleys of Dra, Todgha, Dades and Sous.
The earthen constructions of southern Morocco are rightly celebrated,
for they represent a particular family of pre-Saharan architecture,
which is common to all countries of the Great Maghreb, Mauritania and
Libya. It is not certain that the introduction of these striking
constructions dates back to Islamization and to the foundation of
Sijilmassa in 757, but it is probable (although the oldest testimonies
do not appear to be from before the 17th century) that their structure
and technique were propagated from a very early time in Djebel and in
the valleys of the south.
The typology of this traditional habitat is extremely diversified. Large houses, called tighremt in Berber and dar or kasba
in Arabic, bring together, around a central rectangular courtyard, four
tall fortified wings, topped by angle towers. In some cases they allow
entrance to lower connected houses situated around a second courtyard
which has an enceinte.
The kasba of southern Morocco is the family unit of the
wealthy classes and has varied forms and multiple functions. For the
most part, they are country houses; the ground floor is used for
agricultural purposes and the upper floors serve as living quarters in
winter (upper portion) and summer (lower portion). Adjoining houses are
reserved for agricultural workers, as in the Skura Oasis. The kasba
can, however, also be a veritable palace-fortress, the seat of local
power, as in the ancient region of Glaua, in Taurirt and in Teluet. It
then takes on the dimensions of a small village.
In contrast to the kasba, the family unit is the ksar (plural ksour),
which is mainly a collective grouping. Inside the defensive walls,
which are reinforced by angle towers each with a zigzag-shaped gate,
houses crowd together. Some are modest, others resemble small urban
castles with their high angle towers whose upper portion presents
decorative motifs in clay brick. But there are also buildings and
community areas: collective sheep pens and stables, lofts and silos,
market place, meeting room for the assembly of family chiefs, mosque, madrasas, etc.
Ait-Ben-Haddou is an extraordinary ensemble of buildings offering a
complete panorama of pre-Saharan construction techniques (ramming mass
worked into panel brick and bull header, ordinary moulded earth, clay
brick, etc.) as well as a striking miniature of the architectural
typology of southern Morocco. An astonishing loft-fortress overlooks the
mountain against which the ksar is located. The lofts (agadir or ighram)
are not uncommon in Morocco, but their defensive character is not
always as evident as in the present case by the choice of a site on high
and a fortification system linking the loft with the village, conceived
as the last bastion of resistance in the event of a siege.
Localisation
City : Ouarzazate
GPS : 31°02′49″N 7°07′45″
