With its whitewashed Spanish type houses and buildings perched excessive on a slope that soars up the foothills of the Rif Mountains, it’s no surprise that Tetouan has acquired the nickname “White Dove”. The city is understood for its wealthy, creative, and multi-cultural heritage whereas additionally embracing and supporting up to date arts. It’s the proper place to unwind and probe for a number of days because it’s only a 90 minutes drive from Tangier and two hours from Chefchaouen.
Largely influenced by Spanish tradition (it was as soon as the capital in the course of the Spanish Protectorate) you will notice the Andalusian influences within the arts, structure, and delicacies of Tetouan. Near the ocean, you’ll be able to simply attain many Mediterranean seashores in underneath 20 minutes by automobile. Spend a number of days right here to expertise and discover a real Moroccan city bursting with creativity and historical past.
Archaeological Museum
An interesting assortment of prehistoric and pre-Islamic period artifacts collected from throughout Northern Morocco takes you again via time and supplies a great overview of the area’s historical past. The museum backyard additionally showcases mosaics from the traditional Roman cities of Lixus and Volubilis situated just some hours away. There may be additionally a spectacular library that boasts a set of over 60,000 books so you’ll be able to really dig into Tetouan’s previous, study extra about its cultural heritage and the tradition of Morocco.
Dar Sanaa College of Arts and Crafts
This college is devoted to the standard arts and crafts of Morocco and is one in every of solely two high quality arts faculties in your complete nation. Positioned within the medina close to the gate, Bab el-Okla, you’ll be able to go to this inventive environment and watch aspiring artists of their studios follow making zellige mosaics, embroidery works, wooden work, leather-based, and woodworks plus marquetry from expert artisans. You should buy a novel hand-crafted merchandise as a memento on the premises or in souks across the medina.
Igelsia de Bacturia
This Roman Catholic church is the final surviving church in Tetouan. In-built 1926, this gorgeous, golden orange painted sanctuary nonetheless operates in the present day holding common providers. You’ll be able to attend a mass or quietly peek inside to marvel on the ornately embellished inside.
Ethnographic Museum
Positioned contained in the Nineteenth-century fortress of Sultan Moulay Abderrahman, this attention-grabbing assortment shows conventional, cultural artifacts and Tetouani wedding ceremony ritual objects together with bridal put on and linens. You may also uncover attention-grabbing details about Morocco tradition.
Medina
The traditional stone wall that homes one in every of Morocco’s smallest medinas stays just about untouched by outdoors influences. With its seven gates, you received’t want to fret about dropping your manner as you wander alongside cobblestone streets bursting with colours and the Andalusian spirit mirrored in its constructing’s structure.
Store for ceramics, textiles, jewellery, and plenty of different hand-crafted items. You may also go to the tanneries the place you’ll possible discover fantastically hand-crafted leather-based items which might be moderately priced in comparison with the large cities. Acknowledged as a UNESCO World Heritage Website in 1997, this cultural treasure provides an genuine expertise of town’s historic previous.
Tetouan Middle of Trendy Artwork
This contemporary artwork museum is situated contained in the outdated prepare station and has 5 rooms that exhibit reasonable and summary artworks together with up to date sculptures and work by Moroccan artists. The constructing’s structure is a murals by itself with its lovely ornamental archways and inexperienced tiled exterior.
Dar Oddi
This magnificent cultural area displays the historical past of Tetouan. Constructed within the Nineteen Twenties by El Oddi, it was later purchased and restored by his grandson, Jalal el Oddi with the intention of preserving his household’s heritage and that of town. The gathering contains many cultural artifacts: images, postcards, work, posters, magazines, stamps, and books.
All of its seven rooms are richly embellished with stained glass, zellige tiles accentuated by black and white checkered flooring.
Inexperienced Olive Arts
This collaborative artwork area provides cultural and artistic experiences and is situated within the coronary heart of town. They provide a tremendous artist residency alternative that’s open to all worldwide artists, hands-on artisan workshops (1-5 days), and informative, guided excursions of the Dar Sanaa arts college together with studio visits so you’ll be able to study extra about Moroccan arts and crafts first hand.
The workforce at Inexperienced Olive additionally organizes lectures and cultural art-related talks to nurture the inventive spirit.
https://greenolivearts.com/
Ensemble Artisanale
In search of a novel, hand-crafted memento to recollect your journey via Tetouan, head to Ensemble Artisanale the place you’ll be able to browse lovely items and see artisans at work. Positioned simply throughout the road from the Trendy Artwork Museum, this cooperative is sponsored by the Moroccan authorities so all objects are offered at a set value and are non-negotiable to assist help the cultural arts and artisans. From carpet weavers to leatherworkers, woodworkers, and jewellery makers you can see merchandise of outstanding high quality.
Excursions outdoors Tetouan
Tamuda
Discover the traditional Roman ruins simply 6km outdoors of Tetouan. Courting again to the threerd century B.C. this archaeological web site was initially an Amazigh/Berber settlement, then a Phoenician buying and selling put up, and was later destroyed by the Romans who rebuilt and likewise established a navy camp right here. You’ll be able to wander round and attempt to think about what the previous civilizations may need seemed like. Excavations over time have uncovered Phoenician and Roman artifacts.
Mount Bouanane
Hike up via the forest to expertise spectacular views of Tetouan from a distance. Only a brief distance from Tetouan and you’ll be shrouded in nature, freshwater springs, and respiration clear mountain air. There may be additionally a café close to the doorway of the path so you’ll be able to relax with some scrumptious, mint tea and chill out within the pure environment.
Tamuda Bay and Martil Seaside
How does a day on the seaside sound? The ocean is only a brief distance from Tetouan so you’ll be able to stroll the seashore at sundown or take a camel tour for a really genuine Moroccan expertise. Tamuda Bay attracts many locals and vacationers with its golden, sandy seashores and resort resorts. Another choice is Martil Seaside which is much less touristic and provides a tranquil getaway the place you’ll be able to sunbathe on its lengthy, white sandy stretch of sand.
Tetouan is actually a gem nestled between the mountains and the ocean. Many Morocco package deal excursions embrace this charming city of their itinerary so that you received’t miss out. Delve into Tetouan’s numerous and craft-oriented previous and be impressed by its inventive and progressive current.
