Essaouira is a quiet port and one of the best piers on the Moroccan coast. Since the 16th century, the city has been known by the Portuguese name Mogador, while its Berber name means "wall", because the Portuguese Mogador was a strong fortress. Essaouira was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2001.
This area was inhabited in the 7th century BC. The Phoenicians settled first. The reign of the famous Carthage came later, and after its fall, this area was occupied by the Romans. A fabric and dyeing factory was also opened here. The color was obtained from shells from the sea, and the clothes were worn by Roman senators from this area. In the Middle Ages, the Muslim saint Sidi Mogdul was buried here, after whom the town was named Mogador.
The Portuguese ruled here from 1504 when they built a fortification, but after 35 years they had to leave the city. The present appearance of the city was given in 1765 under the rule of Sultan Sidi Muhammad ben Abdullah. His wish was for the city to become the main port through which trade from Africa to Europe would take place. Slaves were originally traded here at the time. The Jewish community at the time helped the sultan in many ways, and he in turn gave them positions, a reputation in society and, of course, money. With the arrival of the French in 1893, the port and thus the city lost its significance.
The city and the whole country remained under French rule until independence in 1956. Although Essaouira does not have the former commercial significance, this is a really beautiful city worth visiting. The waterfront is impressive and has a series of cannons, known as the Sqala. The medina of the city has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
There are several ways to get to Essaouira. You can do this through a local agency or through an agency with which you traveled to Morocco.
From Marrakech Bus Station you can take a bus to Essaouira. The journey takes about 2.5 hours, and it costs about 50 drachmas.
photo credit: Ben Ostrower
