One of the Gates in Tangier Old Medina
Tangier has a long history dating back to the tenth century BC. It’s proximity to Europe ensured that there would be influences from Morocco’s northern neighbors. Successive colonists from the Portuguese, then the Spanish and the English and even the French made Morocco a melting pot of these influences. What is probably most obvious now is the influence of the French on the country with one of the main languages of the country being French. As any self respecting colonist would do, they built and fortified their colony with their designs. Going around the Tangier Old Medina, you can see these structure as they look seemingly out of place in an old medina.
Western Style Buildings at Tangier Old Medina
Of course, there would be the usual mosque and Moroccan shops here but sometimes it is fun to just try to spot something which is different here. A western style house here or a large Catholic church there. This all points to the Morocco’s very colorful past. This probably helps to explain why they are very tolerant of other cultures. The old medina is a remnant from the old city which was here centuries before. It is great to see places like these still in operation after all these years. Much of the medina has been tidied up to make it easier for tourists but most of the people here still go about their like just like people did centuries before.
[xmlgm {http://www.worldwanderings.net/kml/TangierOldMedina.kmz} zoom=19]