The Moroccan city of Tetouan is located a few miles south of the Strait of Gibraltar and southeast of Tangier. It is the capital and cultural centre of the region Tangier and the only open port of Morocco on the Mediterranean Sea. The Jews comprise about a fifth of the 320,539 inhabitants since 2004.

Their language is Moroccan Darija-Arabic and Berber-Tamazight.  They do not use Arabic as their national language.  This is although Spanish and French are still widely used by the intellectuals and the business people.  Considering that the main religion is Islam, there are those who practice Judaism and Christianity as well.

Tetouan is said to be the Northern Morocco’s capital. Unlike other Moroccan cities it is located amidst a flurry of greeneries, sprawling orchards planted with pomegranate, almond, oranges, and cypress trees that encompass dazzling white homes that hug the hillside of Dersa.

Close by the sombre, Rif Mountains cast shadows that highlight the vivid colours of the rural site that is situated in the Maritl Valley. In 1305 the town was founded by the Merinid Abou Tabit to serve as the centre for the manoeuvre against Sebta and later becoming a pirate’s hide out. The Spanish government made living in Tetouan an agony until the time they finally destroyed the city to flush out the pirates.

Fortunately, in the 16th century the whole town came alive again when fleeing Moslems and Jews came to Tetouan from Andalusia; which is why the town’s architecture and cultural arts speak volumes of Andalusian influence. Afterwards, Tetouan then prospered under the rule of Moulay Ismail. Just like Sale, Fez, and Rabat, Tetouan became a centre for refinement and culture; a hedrya town. A day in Tetouan will show you that despite its relatively smaller medina in comparison to other Moroccan cities, it is certainly the most prominently complete and untouched ones you will ever find.

The streets and avenues, skirt along bluish white ramparts that open unto small squares that are the centres of the town’s activity. In the morning you will see the women arrive to sell whatever goods, wares and products they have. Clothed in colourful clothes and gaiters up to the knee with wide brimmed straw hats they offer herbs, vegetables, honey and butter to a hurried but lively clientele.

The heart of Tetouan is Hassan square it is where the old and the new, begins and ends. Its flower boxes, fountains, and kiosks are totally reminiscent of Andalusia. The square is still the idyllic rendezvous point up till today. Structures with wrought iron balconies and whose shop windows are filled with imported goods enthral the throngs of passer-by.

Tetouan is worthy of its status as a cultural centre. The town holds a lot of monuments: foundouks, fountains, numerous mosques, forts, walls, and certainly not least, the old palace of Khalifa which was used as his Majesty’s representative’s residence during the Spanish protectorate. It was built in the 17th century and then restored and remodelled in 1948 in a way that its Hispano-Mauresque architecture has been retained.

There are a lot of cultural organizations that Tetouan can boast of, but the most prominent establishments are the School of Moroccan Art, College of Fine Arts, a conservatory and two Museums. Yet, the most enticing things to visit in Tetouan are the beautiful winding alleys that seem to plummet under massive arches to lead into a dead end or a small square.

Every street is taken up by a trade guild. The avenue of the weavers adjoins that of the jewellers, and not far are the gunsmiths and the street dyers. The leather workers and babouche producers are close to the craft workshops and tanneries. Tetouan and its people are truly unique in every way because they have maintained their traditional and venerable way of life.

Modern Tetouan

Today Tetouan is an agricultural area that is the centre for marketing and trading citrus fruits, livestock, grains, and handicrafts from the surrounding area. Additionally a diverse number of consumable products are manufactured around and within the city itself. The goods include textiles, building materials, matches, soap and tobacco. Tetouan’s primary industries are fish canning, cabinet-manufacturing and printing. 

Sights and Attractions

A walk through one of the best Medina’s in Morocco is a must. Tetouan’s Medina has been honoured a place in UNESCO’s WORLD HERITAGE SITES. The towering russet bricked Spanish Cathedral, The Big Mosque and its intricate enamel entry way, and the tiled gate of Medina called Babu s-Saidi are all arresting features that draw millions of tourists. Unfortunately unlike other Moroccan cities, the Kasbah is not that entirely well maintained and is not as notable as that of Tangier’s or Rabat’s.

Displayed in the Tetouan Museum of Arts are a range of artefacts that detail the region’s cultural history. The regal white palace with the ornate gateway and the Place Hassan II are all great places to visit. 

As for every holiday maker, shopping is always a must to remember the place that you’ve visited. In Tetouan you will not be left wanting: If you want clothing and linen go to Suuqu I-Houts. Iron and steel products can be found at Guersa I-Kabir, and for epicurean delights there are many food suuqs by the streets that sell a wide array of fresh food, vegetables, and fruits.

Profitability

Surely all the things mentioned above have piqued your curiosity. You know that Morocco is currently the hot topic of property investment, but you are probably wondering why invest in Tetouan? Well aside from all the wonderful things previously expounded on in this article.

At present, Tetouan is an exceptional locale for property investors to venture upon. The opportunities for profit and purchase are insurmountable due to the fact that it is still an emerging market. What is remarkable about the real estate market of Tetouan is the sense of safety for investors: With Tetouans tourism industry on the rise, the property market provides a secure arena for investors to acquire property.

Multinational UAE corporations in collaboration with King Mohammed of Morocco have apportioned a substantial amount of capital to drastically augment the tourism industry. These finances coupled with tax advantages provided for British investors will help allure financiers to invest in Morocco thereby promulgating growth and yield.