A BRIEF HISTORY OF TANGIER, MOROCCO
Tangier is a city rich in its history dating back the 5th century BC during. The Moroccan city has
passed through various hands of sovereignty including England, France, Portugal, and Rome.1
Tangier is known as a “port city” as it lies at the top of Northern Africa overlooking the Strait of
Gibraltar. The city is rich in natural resources and thrives on its fishing and textile output.
Tangier is also known for their manufacturing of carpets that look more like works of art.
Tangier brings in quite a bit of tourism to the country of Morocco with its beautiful landscapes,
its rich foods, its welcoming people, and its wealth of history.
Here are few items I thought would interest you about the city’s history:
The Flag of Morocco
The flag of Morocco is a red backdrop with a
black -bordered green pentagram. The colour
holds historical significance as it is associated
with the Royal family from the Islamic prophet
Muhammad. The colour also symbolizes
bravery and strength while the green
represents the seal of Solomon.
The Moroccan Coat of Arms
This national Moroccan symbol, originally the
Royal Coat of Arms, represents the strength of
the country, its people, and its religion. The
meaning behind the Coat of Arms is: “If you
glorify God, he will glorify you”.2
1
(06 Mar 2014). “Tangier”. Encyclopedia Britannica Online Academic Edition. Encyclopedia Inc., 2014.
<http://www.britannica.com
2
<http://www.wikipedia.com
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A BRIEF HISTORY OF TANGIER, MOROCCO
Museum of Moroccan Arts
This museum was built in the 17th century and
was the governor’s palace originally. The
museum houses historical artifacts of
Morocco’s rich history in everything from
pottery, centuries old dishes, and firearms
used in various battles throughout the
country’s lifespan. Located at Dar el Makhzen,
Place de la Kasbah, Morocco, the museum is
open Monday to Wednesday from 8:30 a.m.
to 18:00 pm.
The Ruins of Volubilis
Volubilis is an ancient Roman city that now lies
in ruins. The city once thriving and popular for
its rich fertile land is not a tourist attraction
near Tangiers Morocco. The Roman city
housed various ethnic diversities that included
Africans, Syrians, Spaniards, Jews, and more
during its prime and was built for the son in
law of Mark Anthony and Cleopatra. The ruins
are available to tour seven days a week.
The Caves of Hercules
Located about 15km away from the city of
Tangiers are the beautiful landscapes of the
caves of Hercules. The caves are both natural
and partly man made. It is rumored to be the
resting place for the mythical God Hercules.
The caves can be viewed from the inside
during low tide, but can be very dangerous as
the tide changes due to the strong current.
Swimming is not recommended although it is
permitted.
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A BRIEF HISTORY OF TANGIER, MOROCCO
Ksar of Ait Ben-Haddou
Ksar means castle in Arabic. Ksar of Ait Ben
Haddou is a town founded in 757 by a man
named Ben-Haddou. It is believed that the
founder of this town is buried in a tomb
behind the city. The city is located between
the Sahara and Marrakech and attracts 1000’s
of tourists each year. Not only does the
location boast breathtaking views, but it also
is a wonderful backdrop for a movie. In fact,
several movies have been filmed in the
location including The Mummy, The Jewel of
the Nile, Gladiator, and Alexander (some of
Hollywood’s biggest grossing films).
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