La Mamora, Portuguese colonial fort in El Ma'moura, Morocco.
La Mamora is a fortified structure with thick stone walls and watchtowers along Morocco's Atlantic coast. The building follows Portuguese military design with sturdy bastions and defensive ramparts built to protect the shoreline.
Portugal built the fort at the start of the 1500s but lost control shortly after its completion. Spanish forces later took over the site and reshaped it while keeping some of the original Portuguese structure.
The fort shows how Portugal shaped this region in the 1500s and remains a place where visitors can see these historical traces today. The stone walls and towers tell of a time when European powers sought to control the North African coast.
Access to the fort is available during daylight hours, though paths along the walls can be uneven in places. Comfortable shoes are advisable, and it helps to take time exploring the different areas and viewpoints across the site.
The fort was long difficult to reach and therefore received fewer visitors than similar sites in the region. This isolation helped preserve the original structure better than many other military fortifications nearby.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
