Moroccan Discovery

October 9, 2015 by Linda Bennett Pennell

For authors of historical fiction, research is a time consuming, but critical element that lends  authenticity to their work. Some hate it while others are completely absorbed in the wonders of tracking down nuggets of information or in stumbling upon unknown, exotic locations. While doing research for Casablanca: Appointment at Dawn, I found just such a place and fell in love. GoogleMaps, Google, and GoogleEarth saved me the time and expense of traveling half way around the globe by revealing the perfect location to send my hero and heroine when they were tracking down a double agent who had fled Casablanca in fear for his life.

Old Portuguese fortress at El Jadida, Morocco

El Jadida is an old port city 80 km south of Casablanca on the Moroccan coast. Mazagan, as it was once known, was founded by the Portuguese in 1506 and the city retains much of its European character in its old Portuguese medina. Due to the blending of cultures and architecture, El Jadida’s Portuguese Fortified City of Mazagan was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004 and is still often referred to as the Cité Portugaise.

Boats on El Jadida beach

 

When the Portuguese were forced by Sultan Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdullah to abandon their last Moroccan colony in 1769 , they destroyed parts of Mazagan, including the Governor’s Bastian. The city lay virtually deserted for many years becoming known as al-Mahdouma (The Ruined). Moroccan Mazagan was renamed El Jadida – ‘The New’ – after being resettled, partly with Jews from Azemmour, in the nineteenth-century by Sultan Abd er Rahman. Under French colonial occupation, El Jadida grew into a large administrative center and popular beach resort.

 

Interior view of the old Portuguese Cistern at El Jadida

The old Portuguese Medina portion of the city (Mazagan) retains much of its historic character with its city walls, narrow lanes, churches, arched gates, fortress, and underground cistern, a popular tourist attraction. Built by the Portuguese in 1514, the cistern is believed to have served originally as an armory or warehouse. In the 16th century, it was converted into a cistern by the opening of a large hole in the domed ceiling. Rainwater poured through the hole and was preserved underground to provide for the city’s inhabitants. The cistern now attracts tourists to its famous water covered floor. The combination of undisturbed water and sunlight pouring through the hole in the roof onto the floor below create a mirrored surface that in turn reflects the dome’s arches and support pillars.  It is a beautiful and exotic location.

Today, El Jadida is a busy tourist, shipping, and industrial area. In 2008, the Salon du Cheval d’El Jadida was inaugurated and draws lovers of fine Arabian horses from all over the world. Looking at the website, it appears to have something for everyone. There are horsemanship displays with bands of riders in traditional dress, dressage events, conformation judging events, and auctions.    El Jadida moves toward the future while preserving its past and heritage.

El Jadida, Morocco is definitely on my bucket list! And it seems I’m not alone in my Moroccan crush. This fall, high fashion designers are agog for all things Moroccan as can be observed on the Yahoo fashion link below.

Horse show link: http://salonducheval.ma/

Pinterest board for Casablanca: Appointment at Dawn featuring scenes from Morocco and photographs of Operation Torch (Nov. 1942) and the First Allied Conference at Casablanca in Jan. 1943: https://www.pinterest.com/lindabennettpen/casablanca-appointment-at-dawn/

https://www.yahoo.com/style/ysl-tory-burch-dries-van-184524539.html

Gallery

Will 7 days be enough to save the Casablanca Conference and the girl he loves? http://amzn.com/B0121Q6S88 http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/casablanca-linda-bennett-pennell/1122378249?ean=2940150767867 https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/casablanca-appointment-at-dawn

 

 

Dar el Malaika courtyard in El Jadida

Display of traditional horsemanship during the Salon du Cheval.

Riders in traditional dress on parade during the Salon du Cheval.

 

 

Purebred Arabian stallion – note the perfect conformation: dished face, strong graceful neck, low withers, short back, smooth muscles, high tail carriage – a true equine king!

A beautiful warhorse in all of his finery!

 

 

 

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