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Heritage

Al Mazamma

Al Hoceima Province

9 story sections

archaeological site in Al Hoceïma Province, Morocco

History & cultureBY TELLBY

Contents

9 sections · tap a section for its opening lines
  1. 1Orientation

    Welcome, curious traveler, to the windswept shores of the Mediterranean, here in the province of Al Hoceima on the northern coast of Morocco. You are standing at the threshold of Al Mazamma, a place where history whispers through…

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  2. 2The Coastal Approach at Souani Beach

    We begin our exploration at the very edge of the continent, on what is today known as the Souani Beach. As you look out over the vast expanse of the Alboran Sea, the westernmost portion of the Mediterranean, try to visualize the…

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  3. 3The Outer Defensive Walls

    Leaving the open beach behind, we approach the first true architectural remains of Al Mazamma: the outer defensive walls. Follow the path inland for a few dozen meters, and you will see the low, undulating mounds of earth and…

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  4. 4The Sea Gate of Bab al-Bahr

    We have now arrived at a slight depression in the line of the walls, a spot that marks the location of the Bab al-Bahr, or the Sea Gate. Every medieval walled city featured monumental gates, but the Sea Gate of a port city held a…

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  5. 5The Mercantile District and Souq

    Having passed through the Sea Gate, we find ourselves in what would have been the mercantile district, the beating commercial heart of Al Mazamma. Today, this area appears as a scattered field of low, ruinous foundations and…

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  6. 6The Artisanal Quarter of Pottery and Metalwork

    Moving deeper into the archaeological site, slightly away from the immediate bustle of the central market, we arrive at the artisanal quarter. This is where the raw materials flowing through the port were transformed into…

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  7. 7The Great Mosque Ruins

    We now approach a site of profound cultural and spiritual significance: the ruins of the Great Mosque, or the Masjid al-Jami. In any Islamic city, the principal mosque is not simply a place of worship; it is the fundamental…

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  8. 8The Citadel and Qasba

    For our final major stop within the city limits, we must ascend to the highest point of the archaeological site to explore the remains of the Citadel, commonly known as the Qasba. As you walk up the slight incline, notice how the…

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  9. 9Closing

    As our journey through the ruins of Al Mazamma draws to a close, let us gather our thoughts and reflect on the profound historical narrative we have uncovered today. We have walked from the sandy shores where Viking longships…

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What is Al Mazamma?

Al Mazamma is a place in Al Hoceima Province with 9 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.

Key facts
LocationAl Hoceima Province
TypeHeritage
Story sections9
Text languageEnglish
Coordinates35.2052, -3.8985
Last updated
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