Skala De La Ville, Coastal fortress in Essaouira, Morocco
Skala De La Ville is a stone fortress positioned along the Atlantic shoreline with thick walls, military towers, and bronze cannons pointing seaward. The structure displays a clear defensive layout with gun platforms and vantage points overlooking the harbor and coastal waters.
A French architect designed this defensive structure in 1760 under Sultan Mohammed III to protect the port from naval invasions. The project formed part of Morocco's broader effort to fortify its Atlantic coastline against European threats.
Artists sell their paintings and crafts near the ramparts, where you can watch traditional Moroccan artistic techniques and see regional imagery come to life. The work reflects how locals have expressed their creativity within this historic space.
The fortress is accessible from sunrise to sunset and offers clear views of fishing boats and seabirds from its elevated position. The flat layout on top allows easy walking and provides several angles for photography.
Eighteen copper cannons from different European countries line the walls, each bearing distinctive engravings and manufacturing marks. The cannons come from different periods and reveal stories of the port's contested past.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
