Country
Morocco
City / Region
El Jadida
Construction Date
Initial citadel 1514 (Arruda brothers). Enlarged/transformed into a star fortification 1541-1548 (B. da Ravenna, J. Ribeiro, J. Castillo). Last Portuguese possession (abandoned 1769). Rehabilitated in the 19th century (renamed El Jadida).
Conservation status
Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List (2004). Fortifications maintain original structure and harmony. Well-preserved monuments. Continuously inhabited, maintaining authenticity. Integrated safeguarding program. Local population involved. Protected by Moroccan legislation and regulations (2004). Buffer zone and no-construction zone. Management plan under development (CERPML). Maintenance of visual integrity is a concern.
Latitude and Longitude
33°15'24.4"N 8°30'09.2"W
Main characteristics
Exceptional example of Euro-Moroccan cultural exchange (16th-18th centuries). Early example of Renaissance military design integrated with Portuguese techniques. Fortifications include bastions and curtain walls with a chemin de ronde. Notable Portuguese buildings: Manueline Cistern (1514), Church of the Assumption (Manueline, early 16th century). Defensive structure with a moat (filled in) and sloping ramps. Urban fabric reflects Portuguese colonial organization.
Source(s)
MUNICÍPIO DE BARCELOS. Jadida – Marrocos. Geminações e Acordos de Cooperação, [s.d.]. Disponível em: <https://www.cm-barcelos.pt/municipio/camara-municipal/geminacoes-acordos-