Tangier

Tangier is perhaps the oldest city in Morocco. By 1600 before Phoenicians settled a colony. Roman mythology links the city of Tangier at the Greek giant Antaeus, son of Poseidon, god of the sea goddess of the earth. During a fight, Hercules kills Antaeus Wife Tingis, the giant, who gave him a son, Sophax. Then Hercules separates Spain from Africa and donated to his son Sophax protected by the sea became king appoints his city Sophax Tingis. Tangier has always occupied a strategic place because of its grip Strait of Gibraltar. The Roman Empire, which controls the capital city until its provinces of North Africa. In 706, Arab monopolize that it becomes the heart of the conflict between the Berber tribes and dynasties until the late thirteenth century. Since the 1300s, Tangier plays an important role in Mediterranean trade. In 1437, the Portuguese conquered Tangier, before being reoccupied by 1471. In 1578 it came under Spanish rule and returns Portuguese. During her union with Charles II of England in 1661, the Portuguese Catherine of Braganza brings dot the city of Tangier. After expelling religious orders and Jewish community, the English withdrew from the city in 1684, having previously destroyed the kasbah.

Therefore, the Sultan Moulay Ismail of the Alawite dynasty began rebuilding the city. In 1800, Tangier became an international city, home to the consuls of the major Western nations: England, Spain, Belgium, Holland, USA, Portugal, Soviet Union, France, and Italy .. In 1923, the city has become an international zone. 

In 1947, Tanger welcomes the first speech of Sultan Mohammed V prelude to the unification of Morocco and its independence in 1956. Today yet, Tanger continues to fascinate. The city Strait has inspired many global celebrities : painters, musicians, writers, poets, filmmakers, actors, billionaires. such as Delacroix, Saint-Saëns, Pierre Loti, Matisse, Van Dongen, Tenessee Williams, Paul Morand, Jean Genet, William Burroughs, Paul Bowles, Malcolm Forbes.

Places to visit in Tangier

The Kasbah 

Separated from the old Medina by fortress walls, it overlooks the port of the city. Walking the small streets and steep stairs, you will discover shops and crafts. Place de la Kasbah offers panoramic views of the bay and the port of Tangier.

Cave of Hercules

Cave of Hercules near the city of Tangier is considered  the Africa's largest caves, where there are catacombs extend to a distance of 30 kilometers in the ground, and the cave attracts tourists and amateur Alastguar since it was discovered in 1906, the cave, which is Sculpted by the nature in the belly of a high rock overlooking the Atlantic Ocean not far from the strait of Gibraltar.

Cap Spartel

To the west of Tangier, close to Caves of Hercules, a lighthouse was built in 1864 on Cape Spartel to prevent many shipwrecks that occurred in the choppy waters of the ocean. 15 km north of the cape was once an island, now submerged ... Some think it housed the legendary city of Atlantis.

Cafe El Hafa

Open since 1920, this is the perfect place to dream time a mint tea. Facing the Atlantic Ocean, this legendary café, hanging from the cliff, has seen many personalities: The Beatles, Randy Weston, Sean Connery ...

Grand Socco 

Grand Socco (Great market), marks the entrance to the medina. It has a permanent market driven by farmers and traders in traditional costumes. Gastronomy and handicrafts in the hands of experts will awaken all your senses. The minaret in polychrome pottery of the Sidi Bou Abid Mosque, built in 1917, dominates the square.

Petit Socco

Petit Socco (small market),The soul of the medina! The ideal place to sample Moroccan tea, this small square in the center of the ancient city has seen many celebrities such as Jean Genet, Paul Bowles, Paul Morand, Tennessee Williams, Jean-Louis Scherrer, Maurice Béjart, Pasolini. ..

Watersports in Tangier