Kechla Fortress

Kechla Fortress
Dar Sultan
Part of Safi's Old Medina
Safi, Morocco
Site information
TypeFortress
Controlled byAlmohad Caliphate (12th century)
Portuguese Empire (16 century)
Alaouite Dynasty (after 18th century)
Location
Coordinates32°17′56.9″N 9°14′13.1″W / 32.299139°N 9.236972°W / 32.299139; -9.236972
Site history
Built12th and 16th century

The Kechla Fortress, also known as Dar Sultan,[1] is a 12th and 16th century fortress in Safi, Morocco. It is integrated into the landward side of Safi's old medina, and it historically defended Safi's inland approaches.[2] The Kechla Fortress and Safi's seaward fortress form a system of fortifications in Safi.

Description

Fortifications around Safi's medina date to the 12th century of the Almohad Caliphate. In 1488, the Portuguese Empire arrived and began to consolidate power in the city by the early 16th century.[3] The Portuguese reinforced the medina and landward facing defences, notably by adding a large casemate for cannons. These fortifications feature carved Portuguese arms and resemble elements of the fortifications in Tangier.[4][5] By the 18th century, Hisham bin Mohammed of the Alaouite Dynasty took control of the fortress.[1] The Kechla fortress contains palatial residences that date to the 18th century.[3][4]

  • Heraldic arms
  • Entryway with old museum signage

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Peters, Lucas (2017). Morocco. Moon Publications. ISBN 9781631211584.
  2. ^ Nijst, A (1973). Living on the Edge of the Sahara: A Study of Traditional Forms of Habitation and Types of Settlement in Morocco. Government Pub. Office. pp. 259, 261. ISBN 9789012001052.
  3. ^ a b Kacprzyk; Ezziyyani; Balas, eds. (2024). International Conference on Advanced Intelligent Systems for Sustainable Development (AI2SD'2023). Springer Nature. p. 191. ISBN 9783031543180.
  4. ^ a b Bickerstaffe, Lovelyn Elaine (1929). Things Seen in Morocco: A Land of Enchantment, of Perpetual Contrasts & of Absorbing Human Interest. Seeley, Service. p. 149. OCLC 847205.
  5. ^ Tracy, James (2000). City Walls: The Urban Enceinte in Global Perspective. Cambridge University Press. p. 374. ISBN 9780521652216.
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