Tetouan Ethnographic Museum (Bab el-Okla)

The Tetouan Ethnographic Museum is housed in the Bab el-Okla bastion on the eastern edge of the Tetouan medina in northern Morocco. The fortified building was once part of the medina's defences, and it was converted into a museum that presents the traditional life and crafts of the Tetouan region. Visitors walk about ten minutes east of Place Hassan II through the medina to reach the gate. Inside, rooms are arranged to show an Andalusian-style home, with displays of embroidered textiles, ceramics, copper and brass, jewellery, weapons, musical instruments and traditional costume. Reconstructed interiors show how a wealthy Tetouan family would have furnished a salon, with painted wood, carpets and tiled walls. Upper levels and the rooftop give views over the medina's white houses and the surrounding hills, which also makes a good place to photograph the town. The collection is small but gives context for the crafts seen in the souks, including embroidery, pottery and woodwork, and the museum is a useful complement to the Archaeological Museum. A visit takes 45 to 60 minutes. Typical hours are 9:00 to 12:00 and 14:30 to 18:00 with closure on Tuesday, and visitors should confirm locally. Reported adult entry is about 20 MAD, with lower rates for children. Weekday mornings are the quietest, and the museum is seldom crowded. The walk to the museum passes through lively quarters, so visitors can combine it with a stop at the nearby craft workshops and the Mellah.