Area Sections
Ouarzazate
Eating Out
Useful adresses
Tours and Excursions

Other Definitions
ouarzazate (enc)

Ouarzazate

Ouarzazate is a useful base from which to explore the ksour and Kasbahs of Ait Benhaddou. However, there is not a lot to do in the town itself. During the 1980’s, the Moroccan government had big plans for this town, as the first stop on the "Saharan Adventure", there is even an airport here. The town became known as "Morocco’s Hollywood" as it has been used as a base for many "exotic" film like David Lean’s "Lawrence of Arabia", Bernardo Bertolucci’s "Sheltering Sky" and "Jesus of Nazareth". However, because of a recession, it now just seems to be a very clean, nicely built ghost town.

The local Glaoui Kasbah Taorirt and the centre artenasal (across from the Kasbah) are worth a visit. Ait Benhaddou is one of the most fantastic sights of the Atlas as the kasbahs are the most elaborately decorated and best preserved (thanks to UNESCO). They have been built and re-built as sets for such movies as Jesus of Nazareth, Lawrence, and Orson Welles’ Sodom and Gomorrah.

 

<< PreviousWord BrowserNext >>
history
getting around
economy
health
people
ivory coast
sights
day trips
things to do
abidjan
biankouma
bingerville
practical information
getting around
getting there
bondoukou
shopping
sights
getting there
merzouga
history
moulay idriss
oualidia
eating out
useful adresses
tours and excursions
ouirgane
getting there
oujda
oukaimeden
getting there
ourika
sights
eating out
history
practical information
getting around
getting there
rabat
rissani
safi
getting there
sights
durgapur