Outside the Church of the Assumption in El Jadida
The Portuguese City of Mazagan is one of the most important sites here in modern El Jadida. This fortified city was built back when the Portuguese controlled this part of Morocco. The city itself is quite compact. These days one would probably consider it just a village instead of a city. The Portuguese made sure to make this city to feel more like home. Unsurprisingly, the Portuguese built a large church inside the city – the Church of the Assumption. It really felt like it was a bit huge compared to the city itself. I don’t think there would be enough people in the city to support such a large church.
Bell Tower of the Church of the Assumption in El Jadida
The Church of the Assumption is one of the first structures visitors would see entering the old Portuguese city. The church is described to be Manueline in design but I can’t really tell. Manueline is characterized by very elaborate designs. I don’t see that anywhere. What I can see is a rather ordinary looking church, granted that churches are actually not that common here in Morocco to begin with. I wanted to enter the church but it seems to be closed. There were two girls banging on the door trying to get in. It was then I noticed that there was a loud music coming from the inside of the church. It doesn’t sound like church music at all. It sounds more like a party or something. No wonder they couldn’t get in since the music was so loud. They were inviting me to go in the church but I decided against it. I would imagine that I would have to be a photographer for whatever event they are having inside the church. I wouldn’t have been able to take a photo of the inside of the church with that event going on inside anyway.
[xmglm {http://www.worldwanderings.net/kml/ChurchoftheAssumptionElJadida.kmz} zoom=19]