Historic sites in El Jadida

Historic Mazagan & Lighthouses

El Jadida, formerly known as Mazagan, preserves a remarkable ensemble of Portuguese military architecture on the Atlantic coast. This UNESCO World Heritage site features a 16th-century star-shaped fortress characterized by massive stone ramparts and historic gates like Bab El Bhar. Beyond the citadel, the city’s maritime heritage is defined by the Phare Sidi Bouafi, a lighthouse built in 1916, and the smaller Phare Sidi Daoui, reflecting its enduring role as a strategic port.

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Portuguese City of Mazagan

El Jadida is a major port city on the Atlantic coast of Morocco, located 96 kilometres south of the city of Casablanca, in the province of…

La Citadelle de Mazagan

A 16th-century fortress built by the Portuguese, featuring massive stone walls and bastions that exemplify Renaissance military design.

Phare Sidi Bouafi

A 46-meter-high lighthouse completed in 1916, featuring a rotating Fresnel lens and serving as a major navigational aid on the Atlantic coast.

Bab La Citerne

A historic gateway providing access to the city’s famous underground Portuguese cistern, known for its Manueline-style vaulted ceilings.

Château Rouge

A distinctive red-colored historic structure located near the waterfront.

Phare Sidi Daoui

A secondary lighthouse marking the entrance to the port of El Jadida.

Palais du Gouverneur

The former administrative residence of the Portuguese governor, located within the fortified city.

Bab El Bhar

Also known as the Sea Gate, this entrance historically connected the fortified city directly to the Atlantic harbor.

Bab Couraça

A defensive gate forming part of the original 16th-century Portuguese fortifications of Mazagan.

Bab Saint-Esprit

One of the primary historic gates of the Portuguese city, forming part of the original defensive perimeter.

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