El Jadida
El Jadida
El Jadida lies approximately 90 kilometers southwest of Casablanca and is an interesting deviation from the typical Moorish-style buildings you’ll see elsewhere in Morocco.
Established in the 16th century by the Portuguese, the coastal city of El Jadida represents the European influence on Morocco. The Portuguese chose this strategic area to build their fortified colony in order to protect their ships en route to India along Africa’s western coast. Mazagan, as it was originally named by the Portuguese, soon became Morocco’s most prestigious trading post.
However, the Portuguese blew up the fortress in 1769 after it was seized by Sultan Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah. It wasn’t until the middle of the 19th century that it was resettled by Moroccan Jews. At that time it was named El Jadida which means “the new” in Arabic.
The Jewish inhabitants of El Jadida grew wealthy as they traded with the interior of Morocco. El Jadida was unique in that the Jewish populace lived among the rest of the city’s inhabitants. In other cities, the Jewish citizens lived in millahs. It is probably for this reason that the city is well-known for its attitude of tolerance. Muslims, Jews, and Christians were historically embraced in the city.
Overtime the port activity of El Jadida fell behind the busier port of Casablanca. Even so, the city of Mazagan (El Jadida) was inscripted as an UNESCO World Heritage site in 2004. It is one of the best preserved Portuguese fortifications in Morocco.
Recommended Length of Stay: ½ day to 1 day
If you think adventure is dangerous, try routine, it is lethal.Paulo Coelho
Places to visit while here
El Jadida Ramparts
Venture into the past when the Portuguese still ruled this part of Morocco. Walk through their ramparts and take…
El Jadida Ramparts
Venture into the past when the Portuguese still ruled this part of Morocco. Walk through their ramparts and take in the exceptional views of the Atlantic Oceans. This UNESCO World Heritage Site holds some of the best preserved ramparts in the world, with four of the five original bastions still standing.
El Jadida Cistern
Underneath a seemingly old and inconspicuous building lies a world of marvels. A few wooden steps lead you into…
El Jadida Cistern
Underneath a seemingly old and inconspicuous building lies a world of marvels. A few wooden steps lead you into the Portuguese Cistern, which was part of the fortress. Believed to have originally served as a weapons room, in its final days it was used as a water reservoir.
The geometric patterns and symmetrical reflections could dazzle even the most cynical as the meticulously chiseled curved arches reflect on the water below. Truly an out of this world site, like a beautiful man-made cave. Some movie scenes have been shot there, such as those in Orson Welles’ Othello.
El Jadida Medina
The old part of El-Jadida, its Medina, is a fortified seaside village established by the Portuguese in 1513 and…
El Jadida Fortress
The citadel, or fortress was built by the Portuguese. It was one of the first settlements of Portuguese explorers…
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