Essaouira

Essaouira is a relaxing, coastal town 390 km southwest of Rabat. it used to be known by its Portuguese name of Mogador until the 1960's. The city doen't receive as many tourists as most other beach resorts, so it's a good place to visit if you like quieter beaches and less crowds. The beach stretches for about 10 kilometers down the coast to the sand dunes of Cap Sim.

Essaouira was founded by the Portuguese in the 16th century, but since they destroyed most of it when they left, most of what you see nowadays was built after 1765. The fortifications in the old town are an interesting mixture of Portuguese, Berber and French military architecture, but the walls were built by Sultan Sidi Mohammed ben Abdallah, who used the town as a base from which a revolt at Agadir was suppressed. The walls are massive, but once inside the walled area you hardly notice them. There are many narrow streets and little squares lined with whitewashed buildings.

Inside the walled part are numerous interesting sights, including the two forts in Essaouira; the Skala du Port, designed to protect the town from attacks out of sea, provides marvelous views over the town and the Skala de la Kasbah, also known as Sqala de la Ville, which has a collection of 18th and 19th century cannons. More weaponry, as well as jewels and costumes can be seen at the museum on Rue Laalouj. Essaouira is famous for its thuya carving and you will see numerous workshops where these carvings are sold. The most beautiful gates in the walls are Port de la Marine and Bab Manjana and its clocktower.

Other places of interest are the Jewish quarter, or 'mellah', which is part of the city's old medina. Sights include Bayt Dakira (the 'House of Memory'), which houses a Jewish museum; Chaim Pinto Synagogue; Jewish cemeteries, which contain the Gravesite of Rabbi Haim Pinto.

The Medina of Essaouira was designated a UNESCO world heritage site in 2001. The Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption is an operational catholic church. One of the most scenic mosques in Essaouira are the Sidi Mogdoul mosque and the Ben Youssef mosque.

Also qorth a visit are the The Île de Mogador, just off the coast from Essaouira and the Berber village of Diabat are two interesting places, although they are difficult to visit.

There are only a few hotels in the old town, but along the seafront, a wider variety of accommodation is available, including a camp ground. Local 'riads', or 'dars' as they are sometimes called, can be rented on a weekly basis. Essaouira has many café's and small restaurants. The bus station is at the northeastern corner of the city walls.