Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TRAIN
El-Jadida train station is located 4km south of town. There are eight services a day to and
from Casablanca (Dh35, 80 minutes). A petit taxi to the centre costs around Dh10.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Azemmour
El-Amine, one of Azemmour's most successful painters, got it right describing his favour-
ite view of town from his roof terrace, which he has painted numerous times: the old
walled medina squeezed in between the Oum er-Rbia (Mother of Spring) river and the
ocean, with the fields spread beyond.
The picturesque town has inspired many artists, who have come to live here. Although
it is close to the art market of Casablanca, life is still simple, with the farmers and fisher-
men going door-to-door with their produce. It's a sleepy backwater with a languid charm,
a sturdy Portuguese medina and some wonderful accommodation options - a great place
to while away a few days overlooking the river.
The Portuguese built the town in 1513 as one of a string of trading posts along the
coast. The town's most famous inhabitant was Estevanico the Black. Captured and made a
slave, he later became one of the first four explorers to cross the entire mainland of North
America from Florida to the Pacific.
Sights
The main sight is the medina, an ochre-walled town of narrow winding streets and white-
washed houses. Unlike Assilah, to the north, it is completely unadorned and still gives an
authentic glimpse of life in modern Morocco. You can get up onto the
ramparts
near Pl du
Souk or via steps at the northeastern corner of the medina. Walk along the walls to see
Dar
el Baroud
(the Powder House), a Portuguese gunpowder store of which only the tower re-
mains. To the north of the medina is the
mellah
and further on you'll get wonderful views
over the river. All over the medina are walls painted by local artists, artists' studios in-
cluding
Ahmed el-Amine
( 0523 35 89 02; 6 Derb el-Hantati)
and a few places selling the typ-
ical Azemmour embroidery.
Sleeping & Eating
