Morocco village hopes to draw 'Game of Thrones' fans

Millions worldwide may have seen the desert fortress in the hit fantasy series 'Game of Thrones,' but few know they can actually visit the Moroccan village of Ait-Ben-Haddou, which was depicted as the fortress in the show.

The fortified old settlement at the foot of the majestic Atlas Mountains enchanted audiences in the HBO series and also served as a dusty backdrop in Ridley Scott's epic swords-and-sandals film 'Gladiator.'

A man sits atop the ancient fortress of Ait-Ben-Haddou. AFP

But unlike other famous locations from movie and television history, this UNESCO World Heritage Site has so far missed out on a mass influx of tourism — something some of its inhabitants are eager to change.

"Several people have told me that they came here to see the filming location of 'Game of Thrones'," said Ahmed Baabouz, a local tour guide. "There is tourism linked to cinema here but frankly we have not developed it to the extent it could be."

Ait-Ben-Haddou is southern Morocco's most famous fortress. Time seems to have stopped at the site overlooking a valley some 30 kilometres (18.6 miles) from the town of Ouarzazate.

There is a mosque and two cemeteries — one for Muslims and one for Jews. Most inhabitants have long since departed though, with a few homes converted into stalls selling handicrafts. 

A tourist walks near the Kasbah ancient fortress of Ait-Ben-Haddou. AFP

The fortress is an ideal film setting, located a short distance from the studios of Ouarzazate, the "Mecca" of Moroccan cinema. Productions ranging from 'Lawrence of Arabia' to 'The Mummy' have been filmed here.

More recently, scenes from the cult series 'Game of Thrones' were shot at Ait-Ben-Haddou, with the site standing in for the fictional Yellow City of Yunkai which is conquered by Daenerys Targaryen, a key character in the 'GOT' universe.

Hammadi, 61, is a privileged witness to the location's cinematic history. 

Men stand atop the Kasbah (ancient fortress) of Ait-Ben-Haddou. AFP

House of the Dragon

On a wall at the entrance to Hammadi's former home, photos bear witness to the projects he has worked on.

One shows him dressed as an ancient Roman with director Ridley Scott on the set of "Gladiator".

"We have a very rich cinematic heritage that we hope to use to attract tourists," said tour guide Baabouz, who is 29.

But "nothing indicates that 'Game of Thrones' was shot here," he added.

On Morocco's Atlantic coast, the city of Essaouira also formed the backdrop to scenes from the series.

A tourist uses her phone to photograph the Kasbah (ancient fortress) of Ait-Ben-Haddou. AFP

But there too, Moroccan tourism promoters are yet to capitalise on the connection.

US channel HBO has commissioned a prequel to "GOT", called "House of the Dragon". George R.R. Martin, the author of the books on which the series is based, wrote on his blog that shooting would also take place in Morocco.