Before going to Morocco I had no idea as to what the difference was between a Kasbah and a Ksar!
A Kasbah is basically a fortified castle built on a square plan with a tower in each corner and generally owned by one family...
The Kasbah Amerhidi.... was quite close to where we stayed in Skoura, so it was our first stop of the day.......
This is still family owned and is being restored slowly.....using just the very small entry fee.....
When the light came through each of these windows it was prayer time...... for the five times a day when Muslims should pray....presumably facing Mecca......
....a kitchen was a little primitive then......
This Kasbah was very interesting...... one half of the building is more or less being left in its original state...... and the other half has been renovated and is operating as a road and is presumably contributing to the renovation.......
The next stop was the iconic Ait Benhaddou Ksar
This has featured in many movies because of its close proximity to Ourzazate, the Moroccan Hollywood! We had passed by there a little earlier.....
Situated across the street from the very imposing Glaoui family Kasbah...
Camels waited to take one over to the Ksar ....
We did spend time at the look out point being given a lesson in local art! Fascinating use of green tea, henna and indigo....invisible at first but all coming to light after heating over a burner....
The Ait Benhaddou Ksar was very different to the previous Kasbah. More like a fortified village where people lived close together and looked out for each other. Apparently four families are still living there and earn money by allowing people to see their living areas....it felt a little strange to do so... but we did.......
Here the kitchen was similar to the last Kasbah... not much had changed...
... and food sources were all kept close by!
The interior may have been basic but there was a solar panel on the roof.....but we didn't see any satellite dishes!
...some even quite steep.....
The number of films using the Ksar as a backdrop was impressive....
.....and this is what it looks like now!!
A Kasbah is basically a fortified castle built on a square plan with a tower in each corner and generally owned by one family...
The Kasbah Amerhidi.... was quite close to where we stayed in Skoura, so it was our first stop of the day.......
This is still family owned and is being restored slowly.....using just the very small entry fee.....
....a kitchen was a little primitive then......
The next stop was the iconic Ait Benhaddou Ksar
This has featured in many movies because of its close proximity to Ourzazate, the Moroccan Hollywood! We had passed by there a little earlier.....
Camels waited to take one over to the Ksar ....
....the alternative was crossing the river on foot.....minimal water during the summer months...or going across a new bridge.... we chose the latter!
The Ait Benhaddou Ksar was very different to the previous Kasbah. More like a fortified village where people lived close together and looked out for each other. Apparently four families are still living there and earn money by allowing people to see their living areas....it felt a little strange to do so... but we did.......
Here the kitchen was similar to the last Kasbah... not much had changed...
... and food sources were all kept close by!
The streets were all quite narrow or twisty...
No shortage of things to buy......
Gladiator by Ridley Scott was filmed there.....
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