El Jadida, Atlantic Coast, Hotels - REDISCOVER THE WORLD - MOROCCO

El Jadida

On the shore of the Atlantic Ocean lays a beautiful city in the shape of a fortress formerly called “Mazagan”; a true cultural jewel, El Jadida (as it is now called) was classified as a site of Cultural Heritage in 2004. This welcoming city is an example of cultural influences between Europe and Morocco; offering a mild climate, El Jadida attracts history enthusiasts who wish to see the Portuguese cistern or the Church of the Assumption; movie-goers in search of inspiration following the footsteps of Orson Welles; and tourists eager to enjoy its beautiful beaches.

A stunning former Portuguese fortified port, its fortified walls facing the ocean, the old city has today become a charming seaside resort. Old stone and beautiful beaches are on the agenda. Listed as a World Heritage Site by Unesco, the former Mazagan became El Jadida (the New City) in 1815. The Portuguese built the fortified city, which originally had five bastions, although, today, only four remain. You can reach them by taking a perfectly preserved path around the battlements. The Bastion of the Angel provides a good view of the town, the port and the sea. The Saint-Sébastien bastion has a crude chapel from the Inquisition. A ramp allows you to go down to the Porte de la Mer. This slope going down to the water was used to escape by the Portuguese in 1769. By going back up on the main street you can access the Portuguese cistern. Forgotten in the past, it was rediscovered by chance in 1916. A shaft of light lights up the centre of this underground chamber supported by five rows of columns. A beautiful setting where films such as Othello by Orson Welles and Harem by Arthur Joffé were shot. By continuing the walk you will come across the church of the Assumption opposite a mosque with a unique minaret. It is probably the only pentagonal one in the world.


Art Suites	Dar al Manar

A lovely new hotel in El Jadida, the beach and port are located few steps from the hotel.	The Dar al Manar is a new and high quality riad-style guest house located in the countryside outside El Jadida.

Sightseeing: A series of underground chambers, discovered by accident, hunting with falcons, gigantic ... The former Mazagan and its surrounding area have plenty of surprises in store for you. The mysterious cistern, built in 1514 by the Portuguese, may have been used as an arsenal or as a store before being transformed into a cistern to be used during sieges. Its surprising Gothic architecture represents a square room of 1100m² supported by five rows of columns and a vaulted ceiling. In the centre, a shaft of light has been opened up. Having been forgotten, it was rediscovered by accident in 1916 by a shopkeeper who wanted to enlarge his premises. This room has served as the set for many films, including the famous Othello by Orson Welles. Falconry: This local Doukkala tradition goes back to the Middle Ages. It appears that the best falconers come from the Lakouassem region and from the village of Ouled Frej. This type of hunting has always been reserved for the nobility. Falconry requires time and experience. It is possible to watch practices and demonstrations in several locations. This is the case at Moulay-Abdallah moussem, one example of the region's numerous festivals. Jorf Lasfar port: A former village for fishermen who specialized in catching rock lobsters, Jorf Lasfar has become the largest port in Africa for exporting phosphate, as Morocco is the world's leading producer of this mineral. A visit to this impressive place will allow you to appreciate the 500 acres of this man-made harbour with its 100,000 ton ships.

Sightseeing nearby: In addition to the attractive, pleasant and safe beaches on the coast to the south and north of El Jadida, 17km from Azemmour there is the former capital of the Doukkala region, located at the mouth of the Oum Errabia river, which is renowned for its succulent shad (cousin of the sardine). You can take a pleasant walk along the old streets of the medina. Boulâouane - take the Nationale 1 road then the Régionale 315. In this famous wine-making region, you will find the imposing rectangular kasbah of Boulâouane. Constructed in 1710 by Moulay Ismaïl, it has seven bastions, crenellated walls and a tall square tower. The location is also known as a centre for falconry.

Sporting activities: The calm waters off the beach allow all water sports to be enjoyed safely, ranging from windsurfing, water-skiing through to jet-skiing; except for Sidi Bouzid, which is a globally recognized surfing spot. An environment which is also perfect for learning to sail in small boats - there is a school in the fishing port of El Jadida. Along the beaches or in the forests, riding is very popular as it is particularly enjoyed in the region. Furthermore, the town is home to one of the country's five national stud farms and every October there is a horse show in the Lalla Malika hippodrome. And the golf courses here are set in superb countryside. The El Jadida Royal Golf Club has a sumptuous 18-hole course set in countryside which varies between scented pine forests and holes overlooking the ocean.

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