Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima is the northernmost region of Morocco, where the country meets the Strait of Gibraltar, the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean. It combines the port city of Tangier and its Cap Spartel headland, the white-walled UNESCO medina of Tetouan, the blue-washed mountain town of Chefchaouen, the mural-covered Atlantic town of Asilah, the Mediterranean beaches of M'diq, Martil and Al Hoceima, and the wooded Rif mountains of Talassemtane National Park.
Historical timeline
Key moments that shaped Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima.
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1
Phoenician Lixus
Phoenician traders settle at Lixus beside the Loukkos river, one of the oldest recorded trading towns on Morocco's Atlantic coast.
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2
Roman Mauretania Tingitana
Rome creates the province of Mauretania Tingitana with Tingis (Tangier) as its capital; Lixus and Tamuda also flourish as Roman-era towns.
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3
Muslim Conquest of Iberia
Tariq ibn Ziyad crosses from the Tangier area to Iberia, opening Muslim rule in al-Andalus; Tangier becomes an early centre of Islam in Morocco.
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4
Portuguese Take Asilah and Tangier; Chefchaouen Founded
Portugal occupies Asilah (Arzila) and Tangier, building the ramparts still standing at Asilah. In the same year Moulay Ali ben Rashid founds the Chefchaouen kasbah to defend the Rif against Portuguese raids.
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5
Andalusian Refugees Rebuild Tetouan
Sidi al-Mandri and refugees from Granada rebuild Tetouan after the fall of al-Andalus, giving its medina its Andalusian houses, tilework and courtyards.
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6
Battle of the Three Kings
Morocco's Saadian army wins the Battle of Ksar el-Kebir (Alcazarquivir) on 4 August, ending Portuguese ambitions in Morocco and killing King Sebastian of Portugal.
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7
English Tangier
Tangier passes to England as part of the dowry of Catherine of Braganza and is held until England abandons and demolishes much of it in 1684.
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8
Spanish Occupation of Tetouan
After the Hispano-Moroccan War of 1859-60, Spain occupies Tetouan until an indemnity is paid, leaving the Ensanche district beside the medina.
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9
Treaty of Fez and the Spanish Protectorate
Morocco becomes a French and Spanish protectorate; Spain controls the north and the Rif, with Tetouan as its capital.
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10
Rif War and the Republic of the Rif
Abd el-Krim leads the Rif Republic from Ajdir near Al Hoceima against Spanish forces; the 1925 Spanish landing at Al Hoceima Bay helps end the war.
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11
Tangier International Zone
Tangier is governed by an international administration, drawing writers, diplomats and spies, until it rejoins Morocco in 1956.
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12
Independence
Morocco regains independence from France and Spain and the northern protectorate and Tangier zone are integrated into the kingdom.
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13
Tetouan Medina Becomes UNESCO World Heritage
UNESCO inscribes the medina of Tetouan (formerly Titawin) as a World Heritage Site.
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14
Al Hoceima Earthquake
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake on 24 February 2004 devastates villages around Al Hoceima and leads to major reconstruction of the Rif coast.
Historical sites
Places where Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima's past comes alive.
Dar el-Makhzen (Kasbah Palace), Tangier
Where: Tangier Kasbah
Admission: Reported between 20-60 MAD (about $2.15-6.45 USD)
American Legation, Tangier
Where: Tangier Medina
Admission: Free or donation; confirm at the door
Gran Teatro Cervantes, Tangier
Where: Tangier
Admission: Free to view from the street
Grand Mosque of Tangier
Where: Tangier Medina
Admission: Free to view from the street
St Andrew's Church and Cemetery, Tangier
Where: Tangier
Admission: Free; a donation to the caretaker is customary
Lixus
Where: Larache
Admission: Reported about 10-20 MAD (about $1.08-2.15 USD)
Tamuda
Where: Tetouan outskirts
Admission: Free or a small tip, about 10 MAD (about $1.08 USD)
Tetouan Medina
Where: Tetouan
Admission: Free
Royal Palace of Tetouan
Where: Tetouan
Admission: Free to view from the square
Asilah Portuguese Ramparts
Where: Asilah
Admission: Free
Great Mosque of Asilah
Where: Asilah
Admission: Free to view from the street
Penon de Velez de la Gomera
Where: Badis
Admission: Free
Chefchaouen Kasbah
Where: Chefchaouen
Admission: Reported about 60 MAD (about $6.45 USD)
Grand Mosque of Chefchaouen
Where: Chefchaouen
Admission: Free to view from the square
Larache Place de la Liberation
Where: Larache
Admission: Free
Museums
Curated collections that tell Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima's story.
Kasbah Museum (Dar el-Makhzen)
Hours: Typically 10:00-18:00, closed Tuesday; confirm at the gate
Admission: Reported between 20-60 MAD (about $2.15-6.45 USD)
American Legation Museum
Hours: Typically weekdays about 10:00-17:00; check legation.org
Admission: Free or donation
Tetouan Archaeological Museum
Hours: Typically 9:00-12:00 and 14:30-18:00, closed Tuesday; confirm locally
Admission: Reported about 10-20 MAD (about $1.08-2.15 USD)
Tetouan Ethnographic Museum (Bab el-Okla)
Hours: Typically 9:00-12:00 and 14:30-18:00, closed Tuesday; confirm locally
Admission: Reported about 20 MAD (about $2.15 USD)
Chefchaouen Ethnographic Museum (Kasbah)
Hours: Typically 9:00-13:00 and 15:00-18:30; confirm at the gate
Admission: Reported about 60 MAD (about $6.45 USD)