Essaouira Medina: UNESCO World Heritage site in Morocco

The Medina of Essaouira, a fortified historic old town on Morocco's Atlantic coast, has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2001. The site is characterized by its massive sea walls and a compact urban core that distinguishes it from many other Moroccan old towns.

Unlike the typically winding layouts of other regional medinas, Essaouira features an orthogonal street grid with clear axes, gates, and squares. This structured urban design reflects an 18th-century redevelopment initiated by Sultan Mohammed ben Abdallah, who established the city as a royal Atlantic port and administrative center. The layout incorporates European-influenced planning principles, utilizing wide main axes to connect fortifications with market streets and the harbor area.