Mazagan

Mazagan (now known as El Jadida) is a port city on the Atlantic coast of Morocco which was seized in 1502 and subsequently ruled by the Portuguese until 1769. It has been acknowledged for its interchange of influences between European and Moroccan cultures.


Year Decision Comments
2004 Inscribed Reasons for inscription
2002DeferredAt Bureau Session; redefinition of the proposed area and name change

Reviews

Jarek Pokrzywnicki (Poland):
Nothing has changed in El-Jadida recently. I was in January 2009 and the conditions in old medina are appaling. Litter everwhere, old Portugese churches are closed, many houses are ruined, mosques are closed for non-muslims as usual. Despite that it is worth visiting - walls are strong and well preserved, Portugese cistern is a "must" to see and really interesting. The most impressing view of Mazagan is from the pier in fishing port, especially in the early morning of sunshine day - recommended.
Date posted: February 2009
Fopreja (Morocco):
Lors d'une recente session de la marie d'El Jadida, ville marocaine qui abrite les fortifications portugaises dites Mazagan, il a été decidé de construire une série de magasins juste en face de la cité portugaise Mazagan, qui vient d'être classé comme vous le savez, patrimoine universel le 30 juin 2004.
Cette série de magasins qu'on estime à une centaine, en plus de quelques petites gargottes et un hôtel,sont prévus dans la zone non constructible autour des fortifications, zone ayant été dégagée suite à la démolition de tout un quartier, pour répondre justement au cahier de charge, tel que exigé par l'ICOMOS.
Date posted: June 2005
Alexandre Monteiro (Portugal):
I was in El Jadida in August 2004. The old city is crumbling, the town has a very dark side to it - quite unlike Essaouira, which is very charming and well preserved - and theres litter and neglect everywhere. I was very appaled to see that.
 


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