Santa Cruz de la Mar Pequeña, Archaeological site in Tarfaya Province, Morocco.
Santa Cruz de la Mar Pequeña is a fortress site on the north shore of Naila lagoon within Khenifiss National Park, marked by an eight-sided tower foundation. The remains reveal the original structure of a Spanish trading post from the 15th century.
Spanish colonists founded this trading post in 1478 under Diego de Herrera's leadership. Saadi forces captured the settlement in 1524, ending Spanish control of the location.
The settlement was a meeting point where European and North African traders exchanged goods and ideas. The site held significance in the daily life of the local Ait Baamrane community, who engaged with merchants passing through the area.
The site lies near Akhfennir and is easiest to reach during drier months when sand conditions are more stable. Visitors should bring water and sun protection, as the area is exposed and remote.
The exact location remained mysterious for centuries until researchers identified it at Foum Agoutir in 1980, after decades of thinking it was near Sidi Ifni. This rediscovery opened new understanding of the region's trading history.
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