Cultural
Médina d’Essaouira (ancienne Mogador)
Maroc
Photo : Leila Maziz (CC BY-SA 3.0 igo)
Located on the Atlantic coast of Morocco, this medina represents a distinctive example of eighteenth-century urban planning that blends European and Moroccan architectural traditions. The fortified town, formerly known as Mogador during its period as a European trading post, was systematically designed with a geometric street layout and defensive ramparts that remain characteristic of the site. The medina's architecture is defined by its whitewashed buildings, narrow streets, and the integration of French military engineering principles with local Islamic design conventions. The harbor and port facilities reflect the site's historical importance as a maritime trading center connecting Morocco with European commerce. The medina preserves material evidence of cultural exchange through its urban structure, domestic architecture, and public spaces that continue to function as a living community. This combination of planned urban design, architectural coherence, and historical significance as a cross-cultural trading settlement forms the basis of its heritage value.
