Bab El Mechouar, Ancient fortified gate in Essaouira, Morocco.
The gate features three distinctive arched entrances with the central bay measuring three meters wide and two side bays of two point four meters each.
Sultan Mohammed Ben Abdellah commissioned the construction of this fortified gate in 1764 as part of the Dar El Mekhzen complex in Essaouira.
The architectural design incorporates traditional Moroccan elements including symmetrical arches and green tiled roofing that exemplifies eighteenth-century North African military architecture.
Visitors can access the gate throughout the year and combine their visit with explorations of nearby artisan workshops and traditional markets in the medina.
The structure remains one of the rare surviving elements of the original Dar El Mekhzen palace complex, which once served as the administrative center of Essaouira.
Location: Essaouira
Address: G66H+F77, Av. Oqba Ibn Nafiaa, Essaouira, Morocco Essaouira Essaouira
GPS coordinates: 31.51116,-9.77182
Latest update: March 3, 2025 10:44
The UNESCO-protected Medina of Essaouira displays 18th-century Moroccan architecture. The fortification walls with Portuguese cannons enclose traditional souks, synagogues, and mosques. The fishing port with blue and white boats and the 3-kilometer beach define the maritime cityscape. The palaces, religious sites, and museum preserve the region's cultural heritage.
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