Essaouira, Morocco
Typical late 18th-century North African fortified town
Located directly west of Marrakech, the town of Essaouira is easily reached by public bus. As you approach Essaouira you will feel the light cool coastal breeze, referred to as the alizee, or taros in the local Berber language. The alizee blows for much of the year so the wide and long beaches here are more suitable for sandblasting than for sun tanning.
Known as the “Wind City of Africa”, the strong winds keep away the hordes of beach lovers from Europe but attract plenty of windsurfers and kitesurfers between April and November. The wide beach is ideal for ball games, horse or camel riding, or even biking.
Essaouira gets its fair share of local and international tourists during spring and autumn when they come to wander through the palm-lined avenues and fortified medina’s spice-scented lanes, filled with beautiful Moroccan arts and crafts.
Formerly named “Mogador” which originates from the Phoenician word “Migdol” meaning a “small fortress”, the medina is an exceptional example of a late-18th-century North African fortified town.
Since the early 16th century it has been an important trading seaport, linking the trade routes from the Saharan Desert with the lucrative European markets. This rich and long history is evident as you wander through alleyways lined by tall whitewashed buildings. Es-Saouira means “beautifully designed”, as the early French architects designed it so well that, unlike most other Moroccan medinas, this medina isn’t like entering a maze, so you are unlikely to get lost easily.
In the medina, near the harbour, is the large Moulay El Hassan pedestrianised square, surrounded by many cosy bars and restaurants. Either sit outside at street level or at one of the rooftop cafes and you will be in an excellent position to do all-day people-watching.
Take a leisurely walk along the old ramparts of the fortress of Scala del Mar to have great views over the city and the ocean. These defensive walls between the ocean and the medina, as well as the medina and kasbah area, were built in the 1760’s on command of Mohammed III who directed French engineer, Théodore Cornut, and several other European architects such as the English and Genoese engineers.
THIS ARTICLE CONTINUES ONLINE IN
Globerovers Magazine July 2017
Essaouira, Morocco
Boys and boats at fortress of Scala del Mar, Essaouira, Morocco
Boats in the harbour of Essaouira, Morocco
Restaurant in the medina of Essaouira, Morocco
Birds around the fortress of Scala del Mar, Essaouira, Morocco
Fish at the harbour of Essaouira, Morocco
THIS ARTICLE CONTINUES ONLINE IN
Globerovers Magazine July 2017
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