A Crossroads of Empires
The 16th century in Morocco's Doukkala plains was an era of intense rivalry between the seafaring Portuguese Empire and the rising Saadian Sultanate. This conflict created a unique architectural landscape where European military design, sophisticated Moroccan artistry, and timeless local building traditions coexisted. This infographic explores the three distinct architectural paradigms that defined the region: the Fortress, the Riad, and the Tazota.
A Century of Transformation
The balance of power in 16th-century Doukkala was constantly shifting. The loss of key territories forced Portugal to consolidate its power, culminating in the construction of the massive Mazagan fortress—a direct architectural response to the Saadian military ascendancy.
The Portuguese Fortress
The Fortress of Mazagan was an architecture of imposition and defense. It was a piece of Renaissance Europe transplanted to Africa, designed to project military power and sustain a colonial community in isolation.
The Saadian Riad
In cities like Azemmour, the Saadian elite built inward-facing homes (*riads*) that were sanctuaries of privacy and opulent decoration, showcasing a rich Hispano-Moorish artistic heritage.
The Vernacular Tazota
The rural plains gave rise to the *Tazota*, a unique structure built from fieldstones cleared for farming. This was an architecture of pure function and symbiosis with the land.
The Building Blocks of Culture
The materials used by each culture tell a story of their priorities and origins. The Portuguese relied on massive, imported-style masonry for defense, while the Saadians used a rich palette of decorative materials for internal beauty. The vernacular Tazota, in contrast, was built entirely from the local environment.
The Architecture of Commerce: Anatomy of a Souk
The 16th-century Moroccan souk was not a single building but a highly organized urban system. Its layout followed a strict hierarchy, with the most valuable goods located centrally near the mosque, creating a vibrant, structured commercial heart within the city.
Mapping the Contested Coast
This representation, inspired by the 1606 map by Jodocus Hondius, shows how European cartographers viewed the region. The map emphasizes coastal strongholds like Mazagan and Azemmour, which were vital for trade, while the Moroccan-controlled interior remains largely undefined—a testament to the limits of European influence.
📍 Mazagam (Fortress)
Portuguese Bastion
📍 Azamor
Saadian City
📍 Saffi
Trading Port
❔ Unnamed Villages
Tazota Territory