Essouira

Medina and port:

The city walls of Essouira built in the 18th century are a good example of European military architecture in North Africa. The city that embraces it, is small but has a relaxed atmosphere with its narrow windy streets and alleys full of small shops and workshops.

Old wooden doors and gates with courtyards belong to white houses or little buildings. A perfect panorama of the beach, the city, the old city-walls and the sea you have at "Skala a la Ville", along with countless old European cannons that had to protect the city.

From Skala a la Port you have also a beautiful view of the island Ile de Mogador, once a bustling place full of activity (this was where the purple came from). The port of Essouira is still a place where local fishermen moor with their newly caught fish. Boats, fishing nets and of course the auction where it is sold and you can enjoy it yourself in the old harbor.  

Other attractions:

• The Ile de Mogador.

The city has a history that goes back to the 6th century BC, when the Phoenicians founded a trading post here called "Arambys". Purple was drawn from the rocky coast, which soon appeared everywhere in the town. The Portuguese appeared in the late 15th century and renamed the town Mogador. The Europeans were in turn chased away by the "Saadians" who were succeeded by the Alawites.

Trade shifted from here to Agadir and back again but it would never again become the prosperous port city it once was. The current Essaouira was founded in 1760 by Alaouite-Sultan Mohammed ibn-Abdullah. He hired French architects to prepare the city (including important port) for foreign trade.

The sultan feasted on the mix of Moroccan and European styles and called it Essaouira which literally means "good design". The "new" city grew fast because of the trade with "Timbuktu" and Europe where gold, ivory and salt were handled. The city walls were guarded by at least 2000 Royal soldiers at that time.  

In 1844, the French bombed the city to force Morocco to stop supporting Abd al-Kader, leader of an Algerian resistance movement. Years later, in 1912 when Morocco became a French protectorate and the name became again Mogador, trade shifted to cities like Agadir, Tangier and Casablanca. After independence in 1956, the city was renamed Essaouira and the changes flourished slowly. In the 60s and 70s it became a hippie hangout thanks to a very eventful visit by rock legend Jimmy Hendrix.

Today Essaouira is mainly known as a tourist attraction. The traditional industry of woodworking and fishing is slowly disappearing. It is also a popular place for windsurfers and as a film location. In 1952, filmed for the Shakespeare movie Othello while in 2004 parts of Alexander were recorded here. A year later, parts of Kingdom of Heaven would be taped here.