Action in Essaouira

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Essaouira was until the 1960s known by its Portuguese name, Mogador and it is a port city in the Western Moroccan region of Marrakesh-Safi on the Atlantic Coast.
It was lovely to be able to climb down to where the rocky beach was when the tide was low and get a different viewpoint of the surrounding walls and the sea.
The seagulls were seen swooping down and are probably scavenging for molluscs or tiny crustaceans left exposed by the receding waters.
The seagulls seem pesky and are hovering around Place Moulay Hassan, a huge and busy Square where there are food vendors selling seafood. Waiting to get lucky perhaps with some leftovers at the tables.
A smallish fishing boat moored at a quiet corner. It is made of Eucalyptus and the hardy teak wood and painted in this eye-catching shade of cobalt blue.
This gateway to Essaouira’s port and the harbour fortifications was constructed in 1770 by an English renegade named Ahmed El Alj. The pillars and facade that form part of the gateway are in their original form and the sculpted Arabic inscription on the roof gable reads “Porte de la Marine”.
The Sqala du Port d’Essaouira where the Portuguese defended the coastal line of Mogador still attracts many visitors; those who climb up to the ramparts would be rewarded with breathtaking views and also see the remaining cannons that are still guarding their posts.
The dock is bustling and alive with movement and noise as the fishermen raise their voices in a bid to get passing customers to buy their fishes.
This fisherman has all his fishes displayed in an orderly fashion and is in no big hurry to get them all sold, as can be seen in his relaxed demeanour. Could not help noticing the patient cat waiting on side too!
I witnessed the fishermen gutting their fishes and happily sweeping the bloody innards to the ground and almost immediately a seagull would swoop in for the kill. Sometimes a squabble amongst the birds can be seen and heard as they all fight to get a share of the loot.
Passersby can buy shellfish, sardines, conger eels and other fresh catches. This fisherman has one snow crab and an octopus lying in the tray, some mackerels and the tinier white ones which I do not know their name.
Done for the day, the fishing boats are tightly packed on the docks like sardines.
With competition from Agadir and Safi, the fishing harbour in Essaouira remains small as it cannot accommodate huge commercial vessels. The catches are surprisingly abundant due to the coastal upwelling generated by the powerful trade winds and the Canaries Current especially for sardines.
Essaouira remains one of the major fishing harbours of Morocco in spite of its diminutive size and it is an attractive and photogenic spot to capture the small artisan fishing boats dressed in vibrant blue.

Essaouira has a laid back charm and the Port de Essaouira that was once a military fortress was featured as a location in Game of Thrones. With a balmy weather and beautiful sunsets over the Atlantic Ocean; the Medina of Essaouira was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001.

Just 3 hours drive away from Marrakech, it is really one of my favourite places in Morocco!

Published by Sandra Quah

Into Travelling, Photography & Music

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