The Muslim City: Continuity and Change

Both shores of the Strait of Gibraltar share a long past of social, military and cultural interactivity between north and south. In 1415 Portugal initiated its Overseas Expansion. The conquest of Ceuta began a settling process that comprised several towns in Northern Africa which would last until 1769, with the evacuation of Mazagão. Beyond the evident economical and commercial benefits, Europe’s recognition and religious Reconquest were also aimed. This aspect of the colonial history in Atlantic Northern Africa, which corresponds today to the Kingdom of Morocco, has introduced decisive urban factors. One can speak of two kinds of establishment in the territory: conquest and foundation. The conquest was a much advantageous process to Portugal, not only for providing an existing urban and commercial fabric, but also for the average duration of these possessions1: Ceuta (1415-1640), Qsar es-Seghir (Alcácer Ceguer) (1458-1550), Tangier (Tânger) (1471-1661), Asylah (Arzila) (1471-1550), in the north, and also Azemmour (1513-1541) and Safi (1508-1541), in the south