Essaouira

The name of the city is usually spelled Essaouira in Latin script, and {{lang|ar|الصويرة}} in Arabic script. Both spellings represent its name in Moroccan Arabic, aṣ-Ṣwiṛa. This is the diminutiveOn the formation of diminutive nouns in Moroccan Arabic, see R.S. Harrell, A short reference grammar of Moroccan Arabic (Washington, D.C., 1962), p. 81. (with definite article) of the noun ṣuṛ which means "wall (as round a yard, city), rampart".See T. Fox and M. Abu-Talib, A Dictionary of Moroccan Arabic (Washington, D.C., 1966), p. 148. The pronunciation with pharyngealized /sˁ/ and /rˁ/ is a typically Moroccan development. In Classical Arabic, the noun is sūr ({{lang|ar|سور}}, with plain /s/ and /r/), diminutive suwayrah ({{lang|ar|سويرة}}); this is the only form cited in all dictionaries of Classical Arabic. Hence, the spelling of the name in Arabic script according to the classical pronunciation is {{lang|ar|السويرة}} al-Suwayrah (with sīn not ṣād).

Until the 1960s, Essaouira was generally known by its Portuguese name, Mogador. This name is probably a corruption of Amegdul ({{langx|ar|أمقدول|translit=Ameqdūl}}), which was mentioned by the 11th-century geographer al-Bakrī.Mac Guckin de Slane (ed. and transl.), Description de l'Afrique septentrionale par el-Bekri (Alger 1913), Arabic text p. 86 {{lang|ar|مرسى امقدول}} marsá Ameqdūl "the port of Ameqdūl", translation p. 175 Amegdoul (Amegdul), with footnote: "Le tombeau ou chapelle de Sîdi Megdoul est situé tout auprès de Mogador; ce dernier est une altération de Megdoul". The name Mogador originated from the Phoenician word Migdol, meaning 'small fortress'.{{Cite web |last=Centre |first=UNESCO World Heritage |title=Medina of Essaouira (formerly Mogador) |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/753/ |access-date=2024-03-09 |website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre |language=en}}

Archaeological research shows that Essaouira has been occupied since prehistoric times. The bay at Essaouira is partially sheltered by the island of Mogador, making it a peaceful harbor protected against strong marine winds.

Essaouira has long been considered one of the best anchorages of the Moroccan coast. The Carthaginian navigator Hanno visited in the 5th century BCE and established the trading post of Arambys.

Around the end of the 1st century BCE or early 1st century CE, the Berber king of Mauretania Juba II established a Tyrian purple factory, processing the murex and purpura shells found in the intertidal rocks at Essaouira and the Iles Purpuraires. This dye colored the purple stripe in the togas worn by the Senators of Imperial Rome.

A Roman villa was excavated on Mogador island.[https://books.google.com/books?id=CX7zx5C1bf4C&pg=PA243 Marokko Ingeborg Lehmann, Rita Henss p.243] A Roman vase was found as well as coinage from the 3rd century CE. Most of the artifacts are now visible in the Sidi Mohammed ben Abdallah Museum and the Rabat Archaeological Museum.

File:Phenician plate with red slip 7th century BCE excavated in Mogador island.jpg|Phoenician plate with red slip, 7th century BCE, excavated in Mogador island, Essaouira. Sidi Mohammed ben Abdallah Museum.

File:Amphora of the Beltran 2B type late 1st or 2nd century Betique Southern Spain found between Mogador and Pharaon islands.jpg|Betica amphora found in Essaouira, 1-2nd century CE.

File:Amphora of the Agora K109 type Agean sea 3rd 4th century CE found between Mogador and Pharaon islands.jpg|Aegean amphora found in Essaouira, 3-4th century CE.

File:Roman coins excavated in Essaouira 3rd century and late Roman Empire.jpg|Roman coins excavated in Essaouira, 3rd century.

File:Sidi Mogdul resting place.jpg in Essaouira.]]

During the Middle Ages, a Muslim saint named Sidi Mogdoul was buried in Essaouira, probably giving its origin to the name "Mogador".

{{main|Morocco-Portugal relations}}

In 1506, the king of Portugal, D. Manuel I, ordered a fortress to be built there, named Castelo Real de Mogador. Altogether, the Portuguese are documented to have seized six Moroccan towns and built six stand-alone fortresses on the Moroccan Atlantic coast, between the river Loukos in the north and the river of Sous in the south. Four of them only had a short duration: Graciosa (1489), São João da Mamora (1515), Castelo Real of Mogador (1506–10) and Aguz (1520–25). Two became permanent urban settlements: Santa Cruz do Cabo de Gué (modern Agadir, founded in 1505–06), and Mazagan, founded in 1514–17. Following the 1541 Fall of Agadir, the Portuguese had to abandon most of their settlements between 1541 and 1550, although they were able to keep Ceuta, Tangier and Mazagan.[https://books.google.com/books?id=S7dUv-1Ql2oC&pg=PA352 City walls: the urban enceinte in global perspective, James D. Tracy, p.352]

The fortress of Castelo Real of Mogador fell to the local resistance of the Regraga fraternity four years after its establishment, in 1510.

File:Castelo Real Adriaen Matham 1641.jpg of Mogador was defended under Abd el-Malek II by a garrison of 100 Moroccans. It was drawn by Adriaen Matham in 1641.]]

During the 16th century, powers including Spain, England, the Netherlands and France tried in vain to conquer the locality. Essaouira remained a haven for the export of sugar and molasses and as an anchorage for pirates.[https://books.google.com/books?id=oQmVAYBsX-AC&pg=PA338 Notes to The History and Description of Africa and of the Notable Things Therein by Leo Africanus p.338]

{{further|France-Morocco relations}}

France was involved in an early attempt to colonize Mogador in 1629. As Richelieu and Père Joseph were attempting to establish a colonial policy, Admiral Isaac de Razilly suggested they occupy Mogador in 1626, which he had reconnoitered in 1619. The objective was to create a base against the Sultan of Morocco and asphyxiate the harbour of Safi.{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}

He departed for Salé on 20 July 1629 with a fleet composed of the ships Licorne, Saint-Louis, Griffon, Catherine, Hambourg, Sainte-Anne, Saint-Jean. He bombarded the city of Salé, destroyed three corsair ships, and then sent the Griffon under Captain Treillebois to Mogador. The men of Razilly saw the fortress of Castelo Real in Mogador and landed 100 men with wood and supplies on Mogador island, with the agreement of Richelieu. After a few days, however, the Griffon reembarked the colonists and departed to rejoin the fleet in Salé.[https://books.google.com/books?id=iJQ3AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA549 E.J. Brill's first encyclopaedia of Islam, 1913–1936, Volume 9 by Martijn Theodoor Houtsma, p.549]

After these expeditions, France signed a treaty with Abd el-Malek II in 1631, giving France preferential treatment, known as "capitulations": preferential tariffs, the establishment of a Consulate, and freedom of religion for French subjects.[https://books.google.com/books?id=KPM3AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA259 France in the age of Louis XIII and Richelieu by Victor Lucien Tapié p.259]

File:Theodore Cornut Essaouira 1767.jpg. When he left in 1767, areas in pink were already built (streets are still recognizable); areas in yellow (harbour front and medina) were only projected.]]

File:Essaouira harbour fortifications 1770.jpg named Ahmed El Alj in 1770, as described in the sculptured inscription in Arabic (right).]]

The present city of Essaouira was built during the mid-eighteenth century by the Moroccan King.{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/sephardimiddleea00harv|url-access=registration|page=[https://archive.org/details/sephardimiddleea00harv/page/103 103]|quote=Essaouira.|title=Sephardi and Middle Eastern Jewries: History and Culture in the Modern Era|last=Goldberg|first=Harvey E.|date=1996|publisher=Indiana University Press|isbn=0253210410|language=en}} Mohammed III tried to reorient his kingdom toward the Atlantic for increased exchanges with European powers, choosing Mogador as his key location. One of his objectives was to establish a harbour at the closest possible point to Marrakesh.[https://books.google.com/books?id=vvDVAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA521 The Anglo American, Volume 3 by Alexander D. Paterson p.521] The other was to cut off trade from Agadir in the south, which had been favouring a political rival of Mohammed III, and the inhabitants of Agadir were forced to relocate to Essaouira.

For 12 years, Mohammed III directed a French engineer, Théodore Cornut, and several other Moroccan and European architects and technicians to build the fortress and city along modern lines.Of Essaouira: "He employed European architects to design it, one a Frenchman said to be his prisoner, and the other an Englishman, converted to Islam and known as Ahmed el-Inglizi— otherwise Ahmed the Englishman." in Morocco, Dorothy Hales Gary, Baron Patrick Balfour Kinross, Viking Press, 1971, p.35 Originally called "Souira" ("the small fortress"), the name became "Es-Saouira" ("the beautifully designed").

Thédore Cornut designed and built the city itself, particularly the Kasbah area, corresponding to the royal quarters and the buildings for Christian merchants and diplomats. Other parts were built by other architects, including Moroccan architects especially from Fez, Marrakesh, and Rabat. The harbour entrance, with the "Porte de la Marine", was built by an English renegade by the name of Ahmed el Inglizi ("Ahmed the English") or Ahmed El Alj ("Ahmed the Renegade"). Mohammed III took numerous steps to encourage the development of Essaouira including closing off the harbour of Agadir to the south in 1767 so that southern trade could be redirected through Essaouira. European communities in the northern harbour of Rabat-Salé were ordered to move to Essaouira through an ordinance of 21 January 1765.{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}

From the time of its rebuilding by Muhammad III until the end of the nineteenth century, Essaouira served as Morocco's principal port, offering the goods of the caravan trade to the world. The route brought goods from sub-Saharan Africa to Timbuktu, then through the desert and over the Atlas Mountains to Marrakesh. The road from Marrakesh to Essaouira is a straight line, explaining the king's choice of this port among the many others along the Moroccan coast.

File:Skala de Ville.jpg|City walls.

File:EssaouiraRamparts.JPG|The ramparts from the Medina.

File:EssaouiraCitadel.JPG|The Genoese-built citadel by the harbour.

File:Skala du Port (js).jpg|Harbour scala.

File:Medina of Essaouira (formerly Mogador)-113160.jpg|tower and walls

File:Dutch cannon made by Adrianus Crans in La Hague 1744 installed in Essaouira Morocco.jpg|Dutch cannon made by Adrianus Crans in The Hague in 1744, installed in Essaouira.

{{further|Jews in Morocco}}

File:A Jewish house in Mogador by Darondeau 1807 1841.jpg (1807–1841).]]

Mohammed III encouraged Moroccan Jews to settle in the town and handle the trade with Europe. Jews once comprised the majority of the population,{{Cite web|url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20201213-moroccan-schools-to-teach-jewish-history-and-culture|title=Moroccan schools to teach Jewish history and culture|date=13 December 2020}} and the Jewish quarter (or mellah) contains many old synagogues. The town also has a large Jewish cemetery. The city flourished until the caravan trade died, superseded by direct European shipping trade with sub-Saharan Africa.[https://books.google.com/books?id=ur38Oc3EIs8C&pg=PA17 The Sultan's Jew: Morocco and the Sephardi World by Daniel J. Schroeter, pp. 17 ff] Changes in trade, the founding of Israel, the resulting wars with Arab states, and the independence of Morocco all resulted in Sephardic Jews leaving the country. As of 2017, Essaouira had only three Jewish inhabitants.{{cite news|title=Morocco's little idyll of Jewish-Muslim coexistence|url=https://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21730897-essaouira-sets-example-rest-middle-east-moroccos-little-idyll|newspaper=The Economist|date=2 November 2017}} On 15 January 2020, King Mohammed VI visited Bayt Dakira, a Jewish heritage house, in Essaouira.{{cite web|url=https://middle-east-online.com/en/moroccan-king-visits-restored-bayt-dakira-essaouira|title=Moroccan king visits restored Bayt Dakira in Essaouira|website=Middle East Online|date=16 January 2020}}

File:Old Jewish quarters in Essaouira.jpg|Old Jewish quarter in Essaouira.

File:Jewish cemetery in Essaouira.jpg|Jewish cemetery in Essaouira.

File:Essaouira in 1809.jpg

{{further|Morocco–Netherlands relations|Morocco – United Kingdom relations}}

In the 19th century, Essaouira became the first seaport of Morocco, with trade volumes about double those of Rabat.[https://books.google.com/books?id=vvDVAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA520 The Anglo American, Volume 3 by Alexander D. Paterson p.520 ff] The city functioned as the harbour for Marrakesh, as it was only a few days from the inland city.[https://books.google.com/books?id=ur38Oc3EIs8C&pg=PA125 The sultan's Jew: Morocco and the Sephardi world by Daniel J. Schroete,r p.125] Diplomatic and trade representations were established by European powers in Essouira.[https://books.google.com/books?id=ur38Oc3EIs8C&pg=PA17 The sultan's Jew: Morocco and the Sephardi world by Daniel J. Schroeter p.17] In the 1820s, European diplomats were concentrated in either Tangier or Essaouira.[https://books.google.com/books?id=ur38Oc3EIs8C&pg=PA121 The sultan's Jew: Morocco and the Sephardi world by Daniel J. Schroeter, p.121]

File:Essaouira Dutch Consulate 19th century.jpg|Remains of the 19th-century Dutch Consulate in Essaouira.

File:Portuguese Consulate in Essaouira 19th century.jpg|Remains of the 19th-century Portuguese Consulate in Essaouira.

File:Former Essaouira English Consulate.jpg|Former Essaouira English Consulate.

File:Former French Consulate in Essaouira.jpg|Former French Consulate in Essaouira.

File:The attack of Mogador by the French fleet Serkis Diranian.jpg in August 1844, Serkis Diranian.]]

{{main|Bombardment of Mogador|French protectorate of Morocco}}

{{unreferenced section|date=June 2014}}

Following Morocco's alliance with Algeria's Abd-El-Kader against France, Essaouira was bombarded and briefly occupied by the French Navy under the Prince de Joinville on 16 August 1844, in the Bombardment of Mogador, an important battle of the First Franco-Moroccan War.{{Cite book |last=Schroeter |first=Daniel J |title=Merchants of Essaouira: Urban Society and Imperialism in Southwestern Morocco, 1844–1886 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=1988 |pages=117-131}}

In the spring of 1864, the Commerce Raider, CSS Georgia of the Confederate States of America's Navy arrived off of the coast of the City as a reprieve from a hard winter's sail. Upon arrival, the crew were able to lower a Cutter and bend oars towards the shore. Upon landing, the crew was greeted by hostile Moroccans who knew both who they were and that their government was hostile towards them, despite spoken neutrality. The officers were then forced, at gunpoint back towards the sea and into the boats from which they arrived. Back on the ship, Captain Matthew Fontaine Maury ordered a shot from the Georgia's ten inch turret gun, followed by a salvo bombardment. No Moroccan casualties were recorded, due to their retreat from the shore during the initial shot fired. This marked the only time that Confederate guns were fired anywhere besides North America.{{Cite web |date=1941-04-01 |title=The Confederacy's Only Foreign War |url=https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/1941/april/confederacys-only-foreign-war |access-date=2025-03-01 |website=U.S. Naval Institute |language=en}}

From 1912 to 1956, Essaouira was part of the French protectorate of Morocco. Mogador was used as a base for a military expedition against Dar Anflous, when 8,000 French troops were located outside the city under the orders of Generals Franchet d'Esperey and Brulard. The Kasbah of Dar Anflous was taken on 25 January 1913. In 1930, brothers, Michel and Jean Vieuchange used Essaouira as a base before Michel set off into the Western Sahara to try to find Smara.

France had an important administrative, military and economic presence. Essaouira had a Franco-Moroccan school, still visible in Derb Dharb street. Linguistically, many Moroccans of Essaouira speak French fluently today.

{{unreferenced section|date=February 2022}}

In the early 1950s film director and actor Orson Welles stayed at the Hotel des Iles just south of the town walls during the filming of his 1952 classic version of "Othello" which contains several memorable scenes shot in the labyrinthine streets and alleyways of the medina. Legend has it that during Welles' sojourn in the town he met Winston Churchill, another guest at the Hotel des Iles. A bas-relief of Orson Welles is located in a small square just outside the medina walls close to the sea. Several other film directors have utilized Essaouira as a location due to the photogenic and atmospheric qualities.

The town was used in the filming of "The Game of Thrones" as the home of the Army of the Unsullied. The scene of the rows of crucified slaves were props to cover the Portuguese cannons.

Beginning in the late 1960s, Essaouira became something of a hippie hangout.{{Cite web |last=Day |first=Meagan |date=2016-10-20 |title=The 1970s Hippie Trail: drugs, danger, and a magical pudding shop in Asia |url=https://timeline.com/hippie-trail-asia-drugs-55abce249d1 |access-date=2022-05-14 |website=Timeline |language=en |archive-date=22 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230522162718/https://timeline.com/hippie-trail-asia-drugs-55abce249d1 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite news |title=Jimi Hendrix's Morocco |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/travel/2001/01/21/jimi-hendrixs-morocco/7549d729-d273-4aad-84cd-6e836954085d/ |access-date=2022-05-14 |issn=0190-8286}}

File:Iles Purpuraires with Mogador island in the background seen from the Essaouira citadel.jpg, with Mogador island in the background seen from the ramparts of Essaouira.]]

Essaouira is protected by a natural bay partially shielded from wave action by the Iles Purpuraires. A broad sandy beach extends from the harbour south of Essaourira, at which point the Oued Ksob discharges to the ocean; south of the discharge lies the archaeological ruin, the Bordj El Berod.C.Michael Hogan, Mogador: promontory fort, The Megalithic Portal, ed. Andy Burnham, 2 November 2007 [http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=17926] The Canary Current is responsible for the generally southward movement of ocean circulation and has led to enhancement of the local fishery.William Adams Hance, The Geography of Modern Africa, Columbia University Press, 1975 {{ISBN|0-231-03869-0}} The village of Diabat lies about five kilometres ({{convert|5|km|abbr=off|disp=output only}}) south of Essaouira, immediately south of the Oued Ksob.

Essaouira connects to Safi to the north and to Agadir to the south via the N1 road and to Marrakech to the east via the R 207 road. There is a small airport some {{convert|7|to|8|km|0|abbr=on}} away from the town, which schedules several flights a week to Paris-Orly, London-Luton and Brussels-South (Charleroi) and daily to Casablanca.

File:Essaouira 9.76074W 31.50818N.png|Essaouira viewed from space.

File:RoadToEssaouira.JPG|The desert road between Marrakesh and Essaouira.

File:Essaouira arganier (3) 1142.JPG|Argan tree near Essaouira.

File:Essaouira beach.jpg|Essaouira beach.

Essaouira's climate is semi-arid climate (BSk/BSh), with mild temperatures year round. The gap between highs and lows is small and summers are warm while winters are mild. Annual rainfall is usually {{convert|300|to|500|mm|in}}. The highest temperature ever recorded in Essaouira was {{convert|35.7|°C}} on 18 April 2017.{{cite web |url=https://www.ogimet.com/cgi-bin/gsynres?lang=en&ind=60220&ndays=31&ano=2017&mes=04&day=31&hora=12&ord=REV&Send=Send|title=60220: Essaouira - (Morocco)|author= |date= 8 July 2022|website=ogimet.com |publisher=OGIMET |access-date= 10 July 2022|quote=}} The lowest temperature ever recorded was {{convert|2.2|°C}} on 29 January 2005. The lowest maximum temperature ever recorded was {{convert|11.8|°C}} on 15 February 2018. The highest minimum temperature ever recorded was {{convert|26.7|°C}} on 13 October 2017. The maximum amount of precipitation recorded in one day was {{convert|99.1|mm|in}} on 8 March 2013.{{cite web | url=http://meteo-climat-bzh.dyndns.org/station-1922-1659-2021.php | title=Météo climat stats | Station Essaouira / Données Météorologiques Gratuites }}

{{Weather box

|location = Essaouira (1991-2020, extremes 1982–present)

|metric first = yes

|single line = yes

|Jan record high C = 28.8

|Feb record high C = 33.9

|Mar record high C = 34.8

|Apr record high C = 35.7

|May record high C = 34.2

|Jun record high C = 31.8

|Jul record high C = 35.0

|Aug record high C = 34.0

|Sep record high C = 33.8

|Oct record high C = 35.0

|Nov record high C = 33.2

|Dec record high C = 30.0

|year record high C =

|Jan high C = 18.4

|Feb high C = 18.7

|Mar high C = 19.4

|Apr high C = 19.5

|May high C = 20.6

|Jun high C = 21.4

|Jul high C = 21.9

|Aug high C = 22.4

|Sep high C = 22.6

|Oct high C = 22.2

|Nov high C = 20.5

|Dec high C = 19.4

|year high C = 20.6

|Jan mean C = 14.8

|Feb mean C = 15.3

|Mar mean C = 16.3

|Apr mean C = 16.8

|May mean C = 18.2

|Jun mean C = 19.3

|Jul mean C = 19.8

|Aug mean C = 20.2

|Sep mean C = 20.3

|Oct mean C = 19.6

|Nov mean C = 17.5

|Dec mean C = 16.0

|year mean C = 17.8

|Jan low C = 11.1

|Feb low C = 12.0

|Mar low C = 13.3

|Apr low C = 14.1

|May low C = 15.7

|Jun low C = 17.1

|Jul low C = 17.7

|Aug low C = 18.1

|Sep low C = 18.0

|Oct low C = 17.0

|Nov low C = 14.4

|Dec low C = 12.6

|year low C = 15.1

|Jan record low C = 2.2

|Feb record low C = 6.2

|Mar record low C = 7.7

|Apr record low C = 10.1

|May record low C = 11.0

|Jun record low C = 14.0

|Jul record low C = 14.2

|Aug record low C = 14.2

|Sep record low C = 14.8

|Oct record low C = 12.2

|Nov record low C = 8.2

|Dec record low C = 6.0

|year record low C =

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation mm = 48.5

|Feb precipitation mm = 37.3

|Mar precipitation mm = 38.1

|Apr precipitation mm = 17.3

|May precipitation mm = 9.4

|Jun precipitation mm = 0.5

|Jul precipitation mm = 0.0

|Aug precipitation mm = 0.8

|Sep precipitation mm = 4.3

|Oct precipitation mm = 33.3

|Nov precipitation mm = 54.5

|Dec precipitation mm = 55.7

|year precipitation mm = 299.7

|unit precipitation days = 1 mm

|Jan precipitation days = 4.6

|Feb precipitation days = 4.2

|Mar precipitation days = 4.2

|Apr precipitation days = 2.6

|May precipitation days = 1.3

|Jun precipitation days = 0.1

|Jul precipitation days = 0.0

|Aug precipitation days = 0.2

|Sep precipitation days = 0.9

|Oct precipitation days = 3.3

|Nov precipitation days = 4.7

|Dec precipitation days = 4.8

|year precipitation days = 30.9

|Jan humidity = 80

|Feb humidity = 81

|Mar humidity = 81

|Apr humidity = 82

|May humidity = 82

|Jun humidity = 84

|Jul humidity = 86

|Aug humidity = 86

|Sep humidity = 84

|Oct humidity = 83

|Nov humidity = 80

|Dec humidity = 81

|year humidity = 83

|Jan sun = 208.5

|Feb sun = 204.9

|Mar sun = 247.2

|Apr sun = 264.0

|May sun = 289.5

|Jun sun = 290.9

|Jul sun = 301.6

|Aug sun = 291.4

|Sep sun = 251.8

|Oct sun = 234.1

|Nov sun = 197.0

|Dec sun = 197.6

|year sun = 2978.5

|Jand sun = 6.7

|Febd sun = 7.3

|Mard sun = 8.0

|Aprd sun = 8.8

|Mayd sun = 9.3

|Jund sun = 9.7

|Juld sun = 9.7

|Augd sun = 9.4

|Sepd sun = 8.4

|Octd sun = 7.6

|Novd sun = 6.6

|Decd sun = 6.4

|yeard sun = 8.2

|source 1 = NOAA (sun 1961–1990){{cite web

| url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/Region-1-WMO-Normals-9120/Morocco/CSV/ESSAOUIRA_60220.csv

| title = Rabat Sale Climate Normals for 1991–2020

| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

| access-date = 8 October 2023

| url-status = live

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20231008052738/https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/Region-1-WMO-Normals-9120/Morocco/CSV/ESSAOUIRA_60220.csv

| archive-date = 8 October 2023}}{{cite web

| url = ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/RA-I/FM/60220.TXT

| title = Essaouira Climate Normals 1961–1990

| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

| access-date = 26 January 2016}}{{cite web

| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=global-summary-of-the-day&stations=60220099999&startDate=1700-01-01&endDate=2023-12-31&dataTypes=MAX,MIN,PRCP

| title = Global Surface Summary of the Day - GSOD

| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

| accessdate = January 26, 2023

}}

|source 2 = Deutscher Wetterdienst (humidity 1973-1992)

{{cite web

| url = http://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_602200_kt.pdf

| title = Klimatafel von Essaouira (Mogador) / Marokko

| work = Baseline climate means (1961–1990) from stations all over the world

| publisher = Deutscher Wetterdienst

| language = de

| access-date = 26 January 2016}}

|date=August 2010}}

File:Essaouira harbour docks.jpg

File:Faience in Essasouira.jpg in Essaouira.]]

The Medina of Essaouira (formerly "Mogador") is a UNESCO World Heritage listed city, an example of a late 18th-century fortified town, as transferred to North Africa by European colonists.

File:Xiphias gladius Essawira Morocco.jpg|Xiphias gladius, Essaouira

File:Essaouira, Fish Market.JPG|Fishmarket in Essaouira

File:Essa3.JPG|Funfair in Essaouira

File:Fishermen in Essaouira.jpg|Fishermen in Essaouira after a bountiful fishing day

File:Medina of Essaouira (formerly Mogador)-113160.jpg|Clock tower in Essaouira

File:Book Market Essaouira 2007.jpg|Essaouira book market.

File:Saidi Souiri Essaouira carpet.jpg|Saidi-Souiri type Essaouira carpet.

There are only a handful of modern purpose-built hotels within the walls of the old city. Newer international hotels have been built along the sea front, with local planning regulations restricting buildings to 4 storeys in height.{{fact|date=September 2022}} There are also many privately owned riads, also known as dars, that may be rented on a daily or weekly basis.

The medina is home to many small arts and crafts businesses, notably cabinet making and 'thuya' wood-carving (using roots of the Tetraclinis tree), both of which have been practised in Essaouira for centuries.

The fishing harbour, suffering from the competition of Agadir and Safi, remains rather small, although the catches (sardines, conger eels) are surprisingly abundant due to the coastal upwelling generated by the powerful trade winds and the Canaries Current. Essaouira remains one of the major fishing harbours of Morocco. {{further|Fishing industry in Morocco}}

Essaouira is also renowned for its kitesurfing and windsurfing, with the powerful trade wind blowing almost constantly onto the protected, almost waveless, bay. Several world-class clubs rent top-notch material on a weekly basis. The township of Sidi Kaouki is located 25 km south of Essaouira and is becoming one of the best locations in Morocco for surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing.{{Cite web|url=http://www.lonelyplanet.com/morocco/sidi-kaouki/introduction|title=Sidi Kaouki, Morocco – Lonely Planet|last=Planet|first=Lonely|website=Lonely Planet|access-date=13 October 2016}} There are several businesses in Sidi Kaouki which offer gear rental.

Essaouira is also a center of argan oil production. It has become a tourist attraction due to the tree-climbing goats who are unique to the region, as argan trees are the only type the goats climb.{{cite web|title=Essaouira|url=https://www.nomads-travel-guide.com/places/essaouira//|publisher=Nomad's Travel}}

File:Franco-Moroccan school in Derb Dharb street Essaouira.jpg

{{expand section|date=May 2016}}

There is a French international school in Essaouira, Groupe scolaire Eric-Tabarly."[http://www.aefe.fr/reseau-scolaire-mondial/rechercher-un-etablissement/maroc-essaouira-groupe-scolaire-eric-tabarly Groupe scolaire Eric-Tabarly – OSUI] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228001357/http://www.aefe.fr/reseau-scolaire-mondial/rechercher-un-etablissement/maroc-essaouira-groupe-scolaire-eric-tabarly |date=28 December 2017 }}." AEFE. Retrieved on 12 May 2016. "25 rue Princesse Lalla Hasna, Quartier des Dunes, 44000 Essaouira"

File:Gnaoua (Gnawa) musicians performing during the 2010 Gnaoua festival in the city of Essaouira, Morocco.jpg musicians at the 2010 Gnaoua World Music Festival in Essaouira]]

Since 1998, the Gnaoua Festival of World Music is held in Essaouira, normally in the last week of June. It brings together artists from all over the world. Although focused on gnaoua music, it includes rock, jazz and reggae. Known as the "Moroccan Woodstock" it lasts four days and attracts around 450,000 spectators annually.[http://www.festival-gnaoua.net/telechargement/Dossier%20presse%20Version%20francaise.pdf Gnaoua Festival Press Kit] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828095544/http://www.festival-gnaoua.net/telechargement/Dossier%20presse%20Version%20francaise.pdf |date=28 August 2008 }}

Jewish quarter "Mellah" of Essaouira's old medina

• Bayt Dakira - "House of Memory" (Jewish museum)
• Chaim Pinto Synagogue
• Jewish cemeteries of Essaouira (old and new)
• Gravesite of Rabbi Haim Pinto
• Medina
• Fortifications:
• Sqala du Port
• Sqala de la Kasbah
• The most picturesque gates:
• Port de la Marine
• Bab Manjana with clocktower
• Tagart beach (with sand dunes)
• Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption church (catholic, operational)
• Sidi Mogdoul mosque
• Sidi Mogdoul lighthouse
• Ben Youssef mosque{{Cite web|url=https://morocco.falktime.com/destinations/essaouira-travel-guide/|title=Essaouira guide book|date=2018-10-05|website=Morocco.FalkTime|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-09}}

{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Morocco}}

Essaouira is twinned with:{{cite web |title=La diversité de la culture et des traditions de Chine sous les feux des projecteurs à Essaouira|url=https://maroc-diplomatique.net/diversite-de-culture-traditions-de-chine-feux-projecteurs-a-essaouira/|website=maroc-diplomatique.net|publisher=Maroc Diplomatique|language=fr|date=2017-12-18|access-date=2020-10-19}}{{cite web |title=Jumelage et partenariat|url=https://www.larochelle.fr/action-municipale/ville-solidaire/jumelage-et-partenariat|website=larochelle.fr|publisher=La Rochelle|language=fr|access-date=2020-10-19}}

• {{flagicon|CHN}} Changshu, China
• {{flagicon|FRA}} La Rochelle, France

• Albert Almoznino, hand shadow artist
• André Azoulay, adviser to the king
• David Bensoussan, memoirist{{cite news|title="La Rosace du Roi Salomon", nouveau roman de David Bensoussan |url=http://www.lemag.ma/La-Rosace-du-Roi-Salomon--nouveau-roman-de-David-Bensoussan_a58729.html |access-date=6 May 2015 |publisher=Le Mag |date=14 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703122205/http://www.lemag.ma/La-Rosace-du-Roi-Salomon--nouveau-roman-de-David-Bensoussan_a58729.html |archive-date=3 July 2015 }}{{cite news|title=Le judaïsme marocain est "bien vivant"|url=http://www.atlasinfo.fr/Le-judaisme-marocain-est-bien-vivant_a22455.html|access-date=6 May 2015|publisher=Atlas|date=8 November 2011}}
• David Hanania Pinto, rabbi
• Edmond Amran El Maleh, writer
• Jacques Amir, politician
• Mahmoud Guinia, Gnawa musician
• Meir Cohen, politician
• Victor Elmaleh, businessman and athlete

• Haha
• Regraga
• Tensift River
• Souira Guedima
• Gnaoua World Music Festival
• Gnaoua
• André Jodin
• William Willshire

{{reflist}}

• David Bensoussan & Asher Knafo, "Mariage juif à Mogador" Éditions Du Lys, www.editionsdulys.ca, Montréal, 2004 ({{ISBN|2-922505-15-4}})
• David Bensoussan, Le fils de Mogador, www.editionsdulys.ca,Éditions Du Lys, Montréal, 2002 ({{ISBN|978-2-922505-21-4}})
• David Bensoussan, [http://www.editionsdulys.ca/il-eacutetait-une-fois-le-maroc.html Il était une fois le Maroc : témoignages du passé judéo-marocain], éd. du Lys, www.editionsdulys.ca, Montréal, 2010 ({{ISBN|2-922505-14-6}}); Deuxième édition : www.iuniverse.com, {{ISBN|978-1-4759-2608-8}}, 620p. ebook {{ISBN|978-1-4759-2609-5}}, Prix Haïm Zafrani de l'Institut universitaire Élie Wiesel, Paris 2012.
• David Bensoussan, La rosace du roi Salomon, Les Éditions Du Lys,www.editionsdulys.ca, 2011, {{ISBN|978-2-922505-23-8}}.
• Hamza Ben Driss Ottmani, Une cité sous les alizés, MOGADOR, Des origines à 1939, Éditions La Porte, Rabat, 1997 {{ISBN|9981889180}}
• Jean-Marie Thiébaud, Consuls et vice-consuls de France à Mogador (Maroc), L'Harmattan, 2010 [http://www.harmattan.fr/auteurs/article_pop.asp?no=14638&no_artiste=5768 Harmattan.fr]
• Jean-Marie Thiébaud, Les Inscriptions du cimetière [chrétien] de Mogador (Essaouira, Maroc) – étude épigraphique et généalogique, L'Harmattan, 2010 [http://www.editions-harmattan.fr/auteurs/article_pop.asp?no=14637&no_artiste=5768 Harmattan.fr]
• Doris Byer: Essaouira, endlich, Wien 2004, {{ISBN|978-3-8542-0651-4}}
• Brigitte Tast, Hans-Juergen Tast: Still the wind cries Jimi. Hendrix in Marokko, Schellerten 2012, {{ISBN|978-3-88842-040-5}}
• Brigitte Tast, Hans-Jürgen Tast: Orson Welles – Othello – Mogador. Aufenthalte in Essaouira, Kulleraugen Vis.Komm. Nr. 42, Schellerten 2013, {{ISBN|978-3-88842-042-9}}

{{Commons category|Essaouira}}

{{Wikivoyage}}

{{Prone to spam|date=August 2012}}

• [https://whc.unesco.org/pg.cfm?cid=31&id_site=753 UNESCO World Heritage site: Medina of Essaouira (formerly Mogador)]
• [http://www.auessaouira.ma Website of the Urban Agency of Essaouira]

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