Sqala of the port, Coastal fortification in Essaouira, Morocco.
The Sqala of the port is a coastal fortification in Essaouira built with thick stone walls and mounted cannons facing the Atlantic Ocean. It forms a central part of the city's defense system and functions as a stronghold protecting maritime activities and trade routes.
Sultan Sidi Mohammed ben Abdallah commissioned this harbor defense structure in the 18th century to protect the port from sea-based attacks. The fortification emerged as Essaouira became an important maritime trade hub and needed stronger protective infrastructure.
The fortress reflects a blend of Moroccan and Portuguese military design that you can see in how it was built and arranged along the coast. Locals and visitors alike understand it as a symbol of the trade connections that once made this port a crossroads between worlds.
The fortification is open daily with multiple viewing platforms where you can observe harbor activities and ocean views from different angles. Plan your visit for calmer morning hours to better appreciate the stonework and see distant views across the water.
Underground warehouses beneath the structure once stored goods from European merchant ships during the port's most active trading periods. These hidden chambers reveal how closely commerce and defense were connected in the fort's daily operations.
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