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As Essaouira is rather small, the monuments are easy to find and are more or less grouped together in the city center. The history of this port town is easy to read by looking at the majority of the monuments that were primarily constructed to offer protection from maritime attacks. Walking on the ramparts it is easy to let oneself be transported back in time and to visualize this town as she must have been long ago.

city sqala	kasba sqala	marine porte
port	kasbah	Kechla
city square	souks	islands
Mellah	cemeteries

city sqala ...

The city sqala is a huge bastion that runs along the Northern hill of Essaouira.

kasbah sqala ...

The ramparts were constructed in order to protect the city from maritime attacks and the views of the city are phenomenal. A grand collection of European canons is aligned along the Sqala of the Kasbah. They were offered to the Sultan Sidi Mohammed bed Afdallah. It is not surprising that Orson Wells chose to shoot the exterior scenes of his film Othello here.

marine porte ...

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The Marine “Porte” was constructed in 1769 and every stone was specially cut to build it. A stairway allows access to the top of the Sqala wall.

fishermans port ...

Essaouiras’ port was once called the port of Timbuctou and was conceived in the 18thcentury by the Sultan Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah. Sardines are the specialty of Essaouiras fishermen and they are served grilled throughout the city in most restaurants. If you are at the docks when the fishing boats come back after a day at sea you can buy them fresh at one of the dockside stands. If you have the time you should pop into the fish auction house one morning.

the kasbah ...

The kings quarter or the Kasbah, is located just next to the Moulay Hassan square. The kasbah was constructed in order to provide lodging for the dock and boat workers.

Kechla fortress...

The Kechla is an ancient fortress that houses the Ceramics Museum.

Moulay Hassan square...

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Connecting the ancient and new quarters of Essaouira, the Moulay Hassan square attracts local entertainers in the evenings. Musicians, dancers, jugglers come together here and there are surprisingly few tourists.

the souks ...

As everywhere in Morocco, the souks of Essaouira are abounding with energy. You will find every product imaginable in the Jdid souk!

Purpuraires islands...

Named after the pourpre secreted by the murex near the islands, the Purpuraire islands welcome the Eleonore falcons who come every year to reproduce before flying off to Madagascar. There is an old prison on the larges of the islands. It is possible to visit the islands but you must first obtain a permit.

Mellah ...

Mellah is the old Jewish quarter of Essaouira. Today the neighborhood is in ruins as the Jewish families abandoned their homes quickly during the war against Israel. We do not recommend visiting the area as night but rather in the early morning. There are not many remaining traces of the Jewish symbols that once adorned the residences and the state of the homes is depressing.

the cemeteries ...

The Jewish and Christian cemeteries are located north of the city and are open to the public.

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