The Mogador Bay is almost closed by the large Island of Mogador, making it a relatively peaceful harbour protected against the strong winds of the area and it has long been considered as one of the best anchorages of the Moroccan coast. Also for access to fresh water. The supply of building-stones and wood facilitated the construction of fortifications.

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Notice the passage between the Island of Mogador and the mainland.

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Map of Mogador Bay from 1767 with
Relief shown by shading. Depths shown by soundings.
(Plano y perfil del Puerto de Mogodor )

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Ile de Mogador , un patrimoine universel à préserver.

This video is made by students from Lycee Mohammed V, Essaouira, at the occasion of International Day for Biological Diversity, 22 May 2014,
with the theme Island biodiversity.

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• Sailing
• Diabat
• Borj Oued
• Maps

The Romans were interested of the site because of the rich fishing waters and its famous seashell,"Murex" from which a valuable purple dye was produced.
The King of Maurtania, Juba II (48BC - AD 23), sent a contingent to "the Purple Island" (Iles Purpuraires) to re-establish the ancient Phoenician dye manufacturing process.

On the island of Mogador was built the Borj El Assa (surveillance bastion).

There are six old bastions built in stone on the island. 4 late 18th century construction of defensive fortresses constructed by the Sultan Sidi MOhammed ben Abdallah and 2 others by Moulay Abderrahmane.

There is also a mosque and a prison which was built in 1897 by order of the Sultan Moulay Abdelaziz to lock up the rebels of Rhamna tribe ( Terhamla tribe -Tahar Ben Souleiman and his men) . After a few months of detention, by digging a tunnel under the perimeter wall, they will manage to escape but most will drown before reaching the shore.

The open air prison also served as accomodation for the pilgrims who used to come from Mecca,
" The house of Quarantine" and they used to live ther for 40 days in order to learn about who was sick.

Rusty canons in a late stone fortification. Bastion of the mosque.

The prison
A rectangular wall sufficient high with with only one way in and out.
No roof.

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EVENEMENTS du MAROC
MOGADOR - Berber prisoners taken to prison by the order of Sultan Abdul Aziz
(Sultan of Morocco 1878-1943)

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The 4 prison gates.
The only entry or exit was through theese doors.

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The Hellenic Ornithological Society Endangered species: Eleonora's Falcon

8 more species are regarded as rare fauvette nélanocéphale goéland leucophée grand cormoran faucon crécerelle faucon pèlerin grand corbeau martinet pâle pigeon bise.

The islands are inhabited and access forbidden to preserve the undisturbed environment for the breeding bird population. There is a conservationist keeping eye of this rare eco system.
For birdspotting tours can be made by boat around the islands but entering the islands requires a special permission.

Birds in Essaouira with birdwatching spots.

Liens externes françaises:

LES FAUCONS DE MOGADOR, par Bob Oré Abitbol

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The archeological value of the islands is unmeasurable for learning about prehistoric settlements and the way of life of native populations. Studying the fortifications we learn about ancient methods of construction adapted to the supply of local building materials and natural external conditions. The Phoenician, Romans, Portugeese and the Sultan Sidi Mohammed ben Abdellah - all contributed to make the Island of Mogador a strategic stronghold for defense, trade and for further exploration of Africa and the Americas.

Punic vase found on the island.

Amphoras found in the waters between the island of Mogador and the island of Pharaon.
300 - 400 AD
(The Sidi Mohammaed ben Abdallah museum, Essaouira)

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"D'ou la raison et l'importance du programme de recherches archeologiques lance sur ce site par une equipe scientifique maroco-allemande dans le cadre de la cooperation bilaterale dans le domaine culturel qui unit l'Institut national des sciences de l'archeologie et du patrimoine (INSAP) et les departements de l'institut allemand de recherches archeologiques (Deutsches Archaologisches Institut) a Bonn et Madrid.

" Ce programme a pour objectif principal l'etude de l'Ile de Mogador et les occupations antiques qu'elle a connues, a savoir l'occupation phenicienne datant du 7e ou 6e siecle av.J.C, l'occupation mauritanienne, la phase de Juba II et enfin l'occupation romaine qui s'est achevee vers la fin du 3e siecle apres J.C ", a confie a la Map, M. Mikdad Abdeslem, enseignant chercheur a l'INSAP et co-directeur de ce programme de recherches."

(http://www.darnna.com/phorum/read.php?18,43574,page=1)

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Phoenician plate with red slip, 7th century BC, excavated in Mogador island, Essaouira, Morocco

Source: https://twitter.com/GroovyHistorian

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Attack of the Mosque on Mogador island 1844

REead about The French

 

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The small islands

Jarf Aylal

 

Dzira Sghira (Djira Sghira)

The scala of this island was constructed in 1836 (1258 Hegira )
by Hadj Mohammed Toufeelaaz.
All the canons of this small fort was thrown into the sea
by the French when they bombarded the town in 1844
M.OQBA/Essaouira La Seductrice 2007

In total there are 8 batteries spread over the six islands that face the town.

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L’Ile de Mogador, un site écologique gorgé d’histoire,
symbolisant la richesse et l’authenticité de la ville d’Essaouira
Facebook: Association Essaouira Mogador

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Links

Essaouira’s Coastal Heritage, Morocco (MarEA 1st September 2020)

Moroccan Royal Archives Twitter

 

Mogador Island (Wikiwand)

dzira mougador, Ile de mogador,