tourism☆marocain

Safi is far from offering the charm of the two neighbouring Essaouira and El Jadida. The city is very industrial, and with one of the most important ports of the document, devoted mainly to the export of phosphate and fishing sardines. Only the small Portuguese citadel and the beautiful blue ceramic manufactured here encourage them to come and make a short step.

Safi in history.

an uncertain origin. Safi occupies perhaps the location of the ancient mysokaras, referred to by Ptolemy, but no evidence does support this hypothesis. The first mention of the city, under the name Asafi, is due to the XI geographer El Bekri. Thanks to other Arab columnists, we know that it was the twelfth port frequented and owned it, from a ribat XIV (often fortified) the port remained closed to merchant ships to Europe XV

A "feitoria" Portuguese. to 1450, Portugal Y HAVE a commercial agency used him at the same tempos relay for trade with Guinea. One or sent Moroccan products that are exchanged against the gold and slaves.
Burning of the city in the fifteenth century, when appointed by the Portuguese TZAFFIN

Taking advantage of rivalries between family members of the Moroccan governor of the city, the Portuguese would emparèrent in 1508. They erected a fortified since they rayonnèrent in Haouz, to the outskirts of Marrakech. They DURENT REMOVING THE PLACE IN 1541 after the loss of Agadir.

The first port of Morocco. Starting from the end of XVI, Safi opening of the new trade with Europe and even became, for a few years, the residence of the consul of France in Morocco. In 1631 and 1635, the Chevalier de Razilly accredited by Louis XVIII? Y SIGNED WITH THE SULTAN El Oualid treaties which opened an era of cordial relations between France and the Empire Chérifien. At the beginning of XVIII, Safi became the largest port in Morocco. English, Dutch, Danish and French will in turn acquired a prominent place.

In 1767, the consul chenier therein lies some time.

phosphatier and port complex. By its position, making it the port closest to the deposit of Gantour (basins of Youssoufia and Ben heal), Safi has become not only the 2nd centre export phosphate (behind Khouribga), but also a processing center bitch this mineral development nearby industrial complex which employs more than 55 ha. It is also the 4th fishing port in the country.

Safi visit.

A few hours enough to visit Safi, whose interest is concentrated in and near the medina. A complete tour, starting from Independence Square, will see successively (castle of the Sea), the Portuguese chapel, the area potters and Kechla or is the museum of ceramics. If you have limited time, it may be confined to visit this museum

The Independence Square is the point of contact with the two main area of the ancient city, the district rbat and Medina, C 'is also the active centre of the city or are banks, bus station, etc. . It will begin the visit by the castle of the Sea

The "castle of the Sea" (Bahr Dar el) is a small fortress of 60 square meters ratings paving north to the old port, topped by a door emblems Portuguese.

Brought up by the Portuguese in the early sixteenth, he served as the residence of the governor instead. The sultans y logèrent the XVII during their stay at Safi. the castle has been partially restored.

The area south of Rbat the Place de l 'Independence, had to develop around a fortified convent founded by Abu el Hassan in the second half of XIV. to accommodate the monks warriors who dedicated themselves to the holy war against the Portuguese. You can see, not far from the mosque Rbat, a high zaouïa the tomb of Sidi Mohamed Abou Saleh, patron saint of the city.

The medina is the oldest part of Safi. She is behind its walls, a triangle whose base of about 300m, is parallel to the shore and whose four sides, climbing a hill, will join the kechla old Portuguese fortress.

The streets of Souk is the main artery of the medina. As elsewhere, it is lined with shops and souks or merchants and craftsmen are grouped by corporations.

The Portuguese was the chapel choir of the Cathedral of Safi. You reach from the streets of Souk, a penetrating left Ka large mosque in a portal topped with the inscription "Nadir of Habous" and taking on new, beyond left

Bab Chaaba, the door of Vallon, which exited the medina, leads to a place or is taking place in the morning market, while entertainers to take possession in the evening.

The area potters occupies the first slope of the hill, across the Bab Chaaba. Its name comes from the hundreds of craftsmen who, on finding a good quality clay, it was established. Most of them are now regroupas in modern premises of a cooperative.

At the end of the mall stands the school of the cooperative, or green to visit: it will monitor all stages of production, filming the decoration and cooking.

The Kechla, sometimes called Borj el Dar, is an ancient fortress built by the Portuguese in the early XVI. A pregnant quadrangular fitted with échauguettes and crenellated towers around a square, or mechouar or one enters by a gatehouse.

From the platform west, views over the medina, the city and the port

A museum of ceramics is housed in the citadel. The porterie began at the Safi XVIII. led by master craftsmen from Fez. It is characterized by its bluish color. The museum, whose ka presentation is pleasant, gives purpose to see Safi, Fez and Meknes

Safi surroundings:

souira Qadima (33 km south; asphalt road). Quit Safi by street Allal Ben Abdallah. It crosses a long industrial area or smell reigns carcteristique plant oils and fish meal.

8 km: industrial complex phoshpatier Safi

15 km: fork right onto the sheikh of jorf el Yhoudi; continue straight ahead.

19 km: the road from left to reach a Tnine Rhiante (18 km) road from El Jadida in Essaouira.

27 km: left track for the casbahs Hamidouch (14 km) crossing to qué Tensift wadi near his mouth.

33 km: Souira Qadima

A LOOK YET IN THE REGION

Essaouira (122 km); oualidia (66 km)