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View compareA splendid location on the outskirts of Essaouira
Essaouira, otherwise known as Mogador or the Pearl of the Atlantic. A town located in southern Morocco, 170km from Marrakech and the same distance north of Agadir, facing the Atlantic Ocean towards the Canary Islands. Essaouira currently has 80,000 inhabitants and a rich ancient history. Dominated first by the Phoenicians and Berbers, before the Romans arrived, interested in the purple dye trade. Later, Portuguese sailors renamed it Mogador. During this period, the Jewish community flourished in Essaouira, outnumbering the Muslim community.
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In 1764, Essaouira became a fortified naval base, and the French military architect Théodore Cornut redesigned its structure, which we find similar to Saint Malo in northern France. The city's economy saw a massive boost thanks to the Jewish community and the port, which became international, only to unfortunately decline during the French protectorate and with the development of other ports like Casablanca, Tangier, and Agadir.
The city regained its splendor thanks to tourism, culture, and music.
The Medina of Essaouira, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a marvel to visit and hides rare pearls of ancient culture and history.
The Casbah, the fortified citadel protecting the port, with its crenellated walls where 17th and 18th-century Spanish cannons are found, houses the workshops of artisan woodcarvers in the lower levels, who masterfully work with ebony, cedar, and thuya.
The Mohammed Ben Abdallah Museum is dedicated to regional arts and traditions, featuring musical instruments, jewelry collections, carpets, and traditional costumes. The Mellah, or Jewish quarter currently undergoing restoration, houses the cemetery where Rabbi Haim Pinto is buried, and the Synagogue, open to visitors and managed by a local family.
Getting lost in the Medina of Essaouira is a pleasure, exploring these narrow streets full of artisans and old-world workshops, young inventors, musicians, painters, and the many artists who inhabit it.
On the large Moulay Hassan Square, you will find delightful cafes where you can sit, listen to street musicians, and enjoy the singing of seagulls. On the same square, the fish grills offer a daily selection of fresh catch, cooked on the grill or fried on the spot.
Heading into the souk (market) area, we move towards real everyday life, with the trade of fruits, vegetables, and meat, arriving at two renowned squares: one on the left named the spice market and the fish square, respectively ''souk laghzal'' and ''blast l’hout'', and on the right the grain and second-hand goods market, respectively ''Rahba'' and ''Jouteya''.
For an optimal visit to the Medina, it is recommended to go to the guide office located at the Bab Sbaa gate to be accompanied by an authorized guide, who will explain the history of Essaouira in your language, making you experience a magical moment.