Essaouira is a very likeable city on Morocco’s Atlantic coast.
For many centuries it was highly “strategic”, and during the 19th century it was Morocco’s primary seaport.
Unsurprisingly, it has “changed hands” more than a few times.
Morocco and Spain are very richly endowed with impressive defensive structures.
Some were built by “conquerors”, others by “locals” who were trying to repel would-be conquerors.
All (or nearly all) such structures “failed”; they eventually fell into “the enemy’s” hands, and were then modified by the victor, who would later become the vanquished..and so on, over centuries.
By the mid-20th century such structures no longer served any military purpose, but many were still very impressive, even beautiful.
Accordingly, they have become tourist attractions and/or places relished by local residents who enjoy a scenic promenade.
Photo is copyright Doug Spencer, taken in Essaouira on the afternoon of 17 October 2025.