Information
Landmark: Cinema MuseumCity: Ouarzazate
Country: Morocco
Continent: Africa
Cinema Museum, Ouarzazate, Morocco, Africa
Overview
In Ouarzazate, Morocco, the Cinema Museum (Musée du Cinéma) draws film lovers and curious travelers alike, offering a vivid glimpse into the country’s rich history in global filmmaking-complete with weathered props and sun-bleached sets.Right across from the weathered walls of the Kasbah of Taourirt, a museum tucked inside a former Italian film studio from the 1980s brings Ouarzazate’s cinematic past to life, letting you wander through real sets, handle worn props, admire intricate costumes, and see the cameras that captured the desert’s sweeping light-a behind-the-scenes glimpse into why this city earned the name “Hollywood of Africa.”The museum honors this legacy, its halls echoing with stories etched in wood and stone.Here’s what to expect, starting with step one.Film Sets and Props The museum features both indoor and outdoor sets, including a weathered saloon front and other pieces from movies and TV shows shot in the region.These aren’t copies-they’re the real sets, the ones actors walked across under hot stage lights.You’ll wander past Egyptian temples and shadowy tombs, step through Roman courtyards lined with tall columns, and peer into cramped medieval prison cells.Ancient palaces and towering fortifications stand beside props, statues, and grand set pieces-remnants left by international studios that now form the museum’s core.Number two.Check out the actual costumes worn in films like *Gladiator*, *Kingdom of Heaven*, and *The Mummy*-the leather still creaks when you move it.On display, you’ll find vintage and modern filmmaking gear-cameras with worn leather straps, bright studio lights, editing tools, and more.It’s a great way to see how these big-budget films were pieced together with barely any CGI and sets so detailed you can almost smell the paint.Number three.Posters, storyboards, worn scripts, and candid behind-the-scenes shots from beloved films made right here in the region.A recorded history of Ouarzazate’s part in international cinema, tracing its influence from the 1960s on, when film crews filled its sunlit streets.Many of the films featured in the museum were filmed at nearby studios like Atlas or CLA, or on location around Ouarzazate-think the sweeping dunes in Lawrence of Arabia, the epic battles of Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven, scenes in Yunkai from Game of Thrones, plus The Jewel of the Nile, Babel, The Mummy, and Prince of Persia.It’s usually open every day from about 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., though you’ll want to confirm current hours when you’re in town.It costs about 30 MAD to get in, though that may change, and most visits run anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour and a half, depending on how much you want to explore.Most of the time you’ll wander through on your own, but every so often a staff member might step in to share a story or point out something you’d have missed.Why stop by?Film Buff’s Paradise: If epic historical dramas or sweeping desert adventures are your thing, standing among these sets-dust in the air and sunlight on the stones-pulls you right into the scene.Cultural Crossroads: Reveals how Morocco’s sunlit streets and bustling markets have set the stage for stories that bridge cultures and genres.One of a kind and a little offbeat, this museum trades dusty exhibits for playful illusions, inviting you to wander through its sets and snap a few photos.Right in the heart of Ouarzazate, it’s an easy place to reach-perfect for pausing between sights or wandering over to the nearby Kasbah Taourirt, with its sun-baked walls and quiet courtyards.After you’ve toured the museum, step across the dusty street and wander into Kasbah Taourirt-a striking showcase of traditional Moroccan design and once home to the influential El Glaoui family.The two sites offer a striking mix of culture and scenery, like catching a play then stepping outside to watch the sunset.
