AZEMOUR AND AL JADIDA

In a nutshell Medinas, fortified cities and fascinating beaches: the treasures Moroccan tradition and architecture revealed in a visit to the spectacular cities of Azemmour and El Jadida.

Main stops

• Azemmour: medina
  
•  El Jadida: Sidi Bouzid beach, fortified city, Church of the Assumption
  
•  Portuguese Cistern 

The programme

• * We leave the port and head south in the direction of **Azemmour**, the old capital of the Moroccan region of Doukkala and an important port in Roman times. We take advantage of our stop in the centre to go for a walk in the **Medina**, the historical nucleus of the city. 
  
• * Once back on our coach we proceed in the direction of **El Jadida**, a city on the Atlantic coast that was seized by the Portuguese in 1502. * Along the famous **Sidi Bouzid beach** we come across an impressive **fortress** , with five bastions, which commands a view of the city and the ocean. Previously known as Mazagan, the city developed in the beginning of the 16th century around a fortified castle. In 2004 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site as an exceptional example of cultural exchange between Europe and Morocco. Inside the city walls there are old Portuguese houses with their characteristic pilaster strips and pretty wrought iron balconies, and the mosque minaret, next to the now deconsecrated **Church of the Assumption**, built on the remains of a pentagonal watchtower. 
  
• *As we walk up the main street we come across the **Portuguese Cistern**: once forgotten, it was rediscovered by chance in 1916. A ray of light illuminates the centre of this underground chamber with five rows of columns supporting the ceiling; a magnificent setting that has been used as a film set for a couple of cinematic masterpieces such as Orson Welles's 'Othello' and Arthur Joffé's 'Harem'. 
  
• * After a delicious lunch at the nearby Hotel, we have some free time to **stroll and relax on the beach**. 
  
• * On the way back to Casablanca we stop for some shopping either in a souvenir shop or a typical herbalist shop.
  

Good to know

Space is limited, so please reserve early.