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Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou

Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou

The ksar, 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.

Description is available under license CC-BY-SA IGO 3.0

Ksar d'Aït-Ben-Haddou

Ensemble de bâtiments de terre entourés de murailles, le ksar est un type d'habitat traditionnel présaharien. Les maisons se regroupent à l'intérieur de ses murs défensifs renforcés par des tours d'angle. Aït-Ben-Haddou, situé dans la province de Ouarzazate, est un exemple frappant de l'architecture du Sud marocain.

Description is available under license CC-BY-SA IGO 3.0

قصر آيت بن حدو

يُعتبَر القصر نوعًا من المساكن التقليديّة المنتشرة في الصحراء وهو عبارة عن مجموعةٍ من الأبنية المصنوعة من الطين والمُحاطة بالأسوار. وتتجمَّع المنازل داخل هذه الاسوار الدفاعيّة المُعزَّزة بأبراجٍ داعمة. ويشكّل قصر آيت بن حدو الذي يقع في إقليم ورززات خيرَ دليلٍ على الهندسة المعماريّة في جنوب المغرب.

source: UNESCO/CPE
Description is available under license CC-BY-SA IGO 3.0

阿伊特•本•哈杜筑垒村

阿伊特·本·哈杜筑垒村指的是一组由高墙围起来的土制建筑,这是一处典型的前撒哈拉居民聚居区。在防御墙内建造有许多房屋,同时四周还有箭塔进行辅助防御。位于瓦尔扎扎特省的阿伊特·本·哈杜是摩洛哥南部建筑的经典范例。

source: UNESCO/CPE
Description is available under license CC-BY-SA IGO 3.0

Ксары (укрепленные жилища) в Айт-Бен-Хадду

Ксары – группы глинобитных зданий, окруженных высокими стенами - являются традиционными жилищами на краю пустыни Сахара. Дома тесно примыкают друг к другу внутри оборонительных стен, усиленных угловыми башнями. Айт-Бен-Хадду, провинция Уарзазат, – это яркий пример архитектуры, характерной для юга Марокко.

source: UNESCO/CPE
Description is available under license CC-BY-SA IGO 3.0

Ksar de Ait Ben Hadu

Formado por un conjunto de edificios de adobe rodeados por altas murallas, el ksar es un tipo de hábitat tradicional presahariano. El de Ait Ben Hadu, situado en la provincia de Uarzazat, es un es un ejemplo notable de la arquitectura del sur de Marruecos.

source: UNESCO/CPE
Description is available under license CC-BY-SA IGO 3.0

アイット-ベン-ハドゥの集落

source: NFUAJ

Ksar van Aït-Ben-Haddou

De Ksar van Aït-Ben-Haddou – een groep uit leem opgetrokken huizen omgeven door hoge muren – is een goed voorbeeld van een traditionele leefomgeving in het Pre-Sahara gebied ten zuiden van het Atlas gebergte. De huizen staan dicht op elkaar binnen de verdedigingsmuren, die worden versterkt door hoektorens. Sommige huizen zijn bescheiden, anderen lijken op kleine stedelijke kastelen met hoge hoektorens en de bovenste delen versierd met motieven in baksteen. Aït-Ben-Haddou ligt in de provincie Ouarzazate en geeft een goed beeld van de aarden bouwtechnieken in de pre-Sahara. De oudste constructies lijken niet vroeger dan de 17e eeuw te zijn, hoewel hun structuur en techniek al eerder werden toegepast in de valleien van Zuid-Marokko.

Source: unesco.nl

Outstanding Universal Value

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

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