Atlantic Coast - Morocco - page 434

(Castle on the Sea; admission Dh10) The impressive castle dominates the crashing waves of the
Atlantic on the rocky waterfront. The fortress was built to enforce Portuguese authority,
house the town governor and protect the port. The ramp in the courtyard leads to the
southwest bastion with great views. Prisoners were kept in the basement of the prison tower
OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP , right of the entrance, before being killed or shipped as slaves.
You can climb to the top for views across the medina.

Medina
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MEDINA

Across the street from the Qasr al-Bahr stands the walled medina. The main street, Rue du
Souq, runs northeast from Bab Lamaasa, and you'll find most of the souqs, stalls, jew-
ellery, clothing and food in this area. To the right of this street, down a twisting alley, are
the remains of the so-called Cathédrale Portugaise OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP (admission Dh10)

, which was never finished by the Portuguese who started it.

Musée National de Céramique
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The Kechla OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP , a massive defensive structure with ramps, gunnery
platforms and living quarters, has been restored and opened as this museum. Exhibits here
include pottery from Safi, Fez and Meknès, and some contemporary pieces by local
artists.

MUSEUM

Sleeping & Eating

Hotel Majestic
( 0524 46 40 11; Pl de l'Indépendance; s/d/tr Dh50/100/150) A decent medina option, with large,
good-value rooms, although it can be noisy. The rooms are basic and have shared bath-
rooms, but everything is clean and well kept, and half the rooms have ocean views. Hot
showers cost Dh10.

HOTEL

L'Avenir Hôtel
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HOTEL €

( 0524 13 14 46; Pl de l'Indépendance; s/d Dh120/140, without bathroom Dh70/80, ) One of a cluster
of medina cheapies, with spartan but clean rooms and a cafe outside for breakfasts. Hot
showers are Dh10.