Jewish cemeteries of Essaouira, Historic Jewish burial grounds near the Atlantic coast in Essaouira, Morocco.
The Jewish cemeteries of Essaouira consist of two separate burial grounds divided by a street, holding roughly 2400 stone tombstones. The inscriptions span from the late 1700s to the 1960s and tell the story of the city's Jewish community across nearly two centuries.
The older cemetery served the community until 1875, when burials shifted to a newly established ground across the street. This move reflected changing needs as the city evolved over the generations.
The mausoleum of Rabbi Haim Pinto draws thousands of Jewish pilgrims each year who gather for traditional Hilloula celebrations. These gatherings keep alive religious practices that connect visitors to generations of devotion in this coastal town.
Access to both burial grounds and the mausoleum requires contacting the guard at the newer cemetery entrance. The staff can explain the layout and point out the most important parts to see.
Atlantic waves regularly wash over the protective wall of the older cemetery, slowly wearing away the carved inscriptions on the gravestones. This constant interaction with the sea makes the site a striking example of nature's power over human structures.
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