Bab Doukkala, City gate in Essaouira, Morocco
Bab Doukkala is a city gate at the entrance of Essaouira, built with traditional Moroccan architectural elements including thick walls and detailed stone carving. The structure features two separate passageways, one for pedestrians and one for vehicles, both framed by stone arches.
The gate was built around 1840 and served as a defensive structure controlling city access during a period of increased maritime trade. This role as an entry point shaped how the surrounding medina developed around it.
The gate displays Moroccan craftsmanship through decorative patterns carved into stone, reflecting regional building methods from the 19th century. Visitors can observe how local artisans shaped each detail with care, creating a work that still shows their skill today.
The gate sits at the northwestern section of the medina and connects visitors to local markets, shops, and traditional food establishments. When passing through, it helps to take time exploring the surroundings, as several paths open from here into different parts of the old city.
The gate maintains two separate passageways directing pedestrians and vehicles along different routes, a rare feature in many medieval Moroccan gates. This split design allowed handlers to manage traffic more efficiently while maintaining security.
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