Escape to Morocco

Essaouira was founded in the 18^th century by the Alawite Sultan Mohammed Ben Abdullah, who wished to build a rival city to unruly Agadir. Having selected the location of the port of Mogador, he asked Théodore Cornut, a French engineer, to draw the plans for the new city. The Frenchman designed a grid-system city with Vauban-style ramparts. Mohammed Ben Abdullah then ordered the European Consuls in Salé and Agadir to move to Essaouira. He also attracted the crown-appointed merchants, who were the wealthiest people of the kingdom. It is interesting to note that Essaouira was the only city in which the Jewish community was larger than the Muslim population. 

Nowadays, the magic of Essaouira comes from its artistic influence. The tranquillity of the city, the beauty of the site, the splendid light... have always attracted and inspired artists. Orson Welles shot several 
scenes of his film Othello, Jimmy Hendrix and his peers of the "beat generation" stayed in Essaouira in the '60s, the works of many local painters and sculptors are on display in the art galleries of the city. 

Essaouira has recently added a string to its bow : the powerful winds blowing from the Atlantic Ocean have made it a surfers' paradise. With its mild climate, calmness, arts and sea sports, Essaouira has become a sought-after holiday resort. It is true that it is difficult to resist the charms of this little paradise...

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