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Tétouan ( Arabic : تطوان , romanized :  tiṭwān , [titwaːn] ) is a city in northern Morocco . It lies along the Martil Valley and is one of the two major ports of Morocco on the Mediterranean Sea , a few miles south of the Strait of Gibraltar , and about 60 kilometres (37 mi) E.S.E. of Tangier . In the 2014 Moroccan census , the city recorded a population of 380,787 inhabitants. It is part of the administrative division Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceima .

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97-405: The city has witnessed many development cycles spanning over more than 2,000 years. The first settlements, discovered a few miles outside of the modern city limits, belonged to the ancient Mauretanians and date back to the 3rd century BC. A century later, Phoenicians traded there and after them the site—known now as the ancient town of Tamuda —became a Roman colony under Emperor Augustus . In

194-721: A praetorian prefect and the military authority of a magister militum , and enjoyed considerable autonomy from Constantinople . Two exarchates were established, one in Italy, with seat at Ravenna (hence known as the Exarchate of Ravenna ), and one in Africa, based at Carthage and including all imperial possessions in the Western Mediterranean. The first African exarch was the patricius Gennadius . Mauretania Caesariensis and Mauretania Sitifensis were merged to form

291-542: A procurator Augusti , or a legatus Augusti pro praetore ). In the 1st century AD, Emperor Claudius divided the Roman province of Mauretania into Mauretania Caesariensis and Mauretania Tingitana along the line of the Mulucha ( Muluya ) River, about 60 km west of modern Oran : Mauretania gave the empire one emperor, the equestrian Macrinus . He seized power after the assassination of Caracalla in 217 but

388-588: A Pixegueira . Although Pedro de Menezes had numerous daughters, legitimate and otherwise, Duarte was his only son. In March 1424, Pedro managed to secure from King John I of Portugal a royal letter legitimizing Duarte to enable him to inherit his titles. Duarte de Menezes stayed with his father during his tenure as governor in Ceuta , and was given hands-on training in governorship and the military arts. Already at an early age, Duarte distinguished himself in numerous engagements and skirmishes with Moroccan fighters, and

485-686: A captain of the troops loyal to Boabdil , the last king of the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada , took refuge in the ruined city. They first raised the walls and then filled the enclosure with houses. These Andalusians came into conflict with the Beni Hozmar tribe settling in Jebala lands, after which they asked the Wattasid sultan for protection. In response, he sent 80 soldiers (according to one chronicle, 40 natives of Fez and 40 Riffians). In turn,

582-526: A center for the reception of Andalusian civilization. It is often linked to Granada and is nicknamed "Granada's Daughter"; some families still keep keys belonging to their old homes in Granada. It is also nicknamed "Pequeña Jerusalén" (Little Jerusalem) by Sephardi Jews . The vast majority of the population are Muslims and small Christian and Jewish communities also exist, although their presence has declined sharply in recent decades. In 1913, Tétouan became

679-676: A degree of Roman culture, including the local cities, and usually nominally acknowledged the suzerainty of the Roman Emperors. The Western kingdom more distant from the Vandal kingdom was the one of Altava, a city located at the borders of Mauretania Tingitana and Caesariensis....It is clear that the Mauro-Roman kingdom of Altava was fully inside the Western Latin world, not only because of location but mainly because it adopted

776-602: A detachment of his garrison under his son Duarte de Menezes to raid Tétouan - which was recovering from the Castillian destruction - in order to prevent it from becoming a threat to future Portuguese operations. By the end of the 15th century, it was rebuilt by refugees from the Reconquista (reconquest of Spain, completed by the fall of Granada in 1492), when the Andalusian Moors , led by Ali al-Mandri ,

873-466: A disastrous storm, which sunk several ships and scattered the remainder. Duarte de Menezes, from his perch in Alcácer-Ceguer, caught sight of the king's sail and set out with some vessels to escort the remainder of the fleet safely to Ceuta . The king's council assembled, Afonso V insisted on the scheme to attack Tangier. He would send the captain of the fleet, Luíz Mendes de Vasconcelos, with

970-429: A few more skirmishes around the area, Duarte de Menezes felt the situation secure enough to return to Lisbon, leaving the garrison in the hands of his nephew, Afonso Teles. He was received with great pomp by Afonso V of Portugal, who promptly granted Duarte de Menezes the title of Count of Viana (da Foz do Lima) (title had been vacant since the death of its first holder back in 1384) and Lord of Caminha . He also swapped

1067-466: A new operation against Morocco, the first since the disaster at Tangier in 1437. The Marinid sultan Abd al-Haqq II , then laying siege to Tlemcen , heard the news of the massive Portuguese expeditionary force and presuming it was another attempt at Tangier , sent the bulk of his forces to that city. Instead, the Portuguese fleet swooped down on Ksar es-Seghir ( Port : Alcácer-Ceguer ), seizing

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1164-486: A raid inland. Once again, Duarte de Menezes, who happened to be visiting Ceuta, advised the king against it, but the king insisted and set out on a raid south. Duarte de Menezes, and several other nobles, reluctantly accompanied him. In the Benacofu hills south of Tétouan , King Afonso V's party was lured and ambushed by a Moroccan party. The monarch seemingly doomed, Duarte de Menezes threw himself forward to fight off

1261-691: A resumption of the North African campaign with expedition to seize Tanger . In 1436, Duarte personally led a Portuguese party to attack and raze the Moroccan citadel of Tétouan , to prevent it from becoming a threat to future Portuguese operations. The Portuguese expeditionary force under Prince Henry the Navigator finally arrived in Ceuta in August 1437. Henry appointed Duarte de Menezes to command

1358-406: A seaborne contingent to scale a relatively low stretch of wall on the seaward side of the citadel of Tangier, while he would himself lead an infantry column overland and blockade the city on the landward wide. Once again, Duarte de Menezes objected to the plan, once again he was overruled. The assault came to naught - bad weather and Tangier artillery kept the naval squad away, and the king, thinking

1455-530: A series of connected excavated caves called Mazmorras . The captives were faced with being sold to the slavery market if ransoms were not paid. These subterranean installations were rediscovered in the early 20th century. A chapel of 90 square meters and a few altars were also uncovered. The sacred site, named Nuestra Señora de los Dolores (Our Lady of Sorrows), was used by the captives and redeemers like their relatives or Spanish Franciscans and Portuguese Jesuits who used to make frequent visits to negotiate

1552-467: A sign of their weakness. Spurred by a national passion for African conquest, Spain declared war on Morocco in 1859 after a conflict over the borders of Ceuta. After a few months, Tétouan was taken on 4 February 1860 under the command of General Leopoldo O'Donnell , who was a descendant of an old Irish royal family, the O'Donnells of Tyrconnell . He was made hereditary Duke of Tetuán , and later served as Prime Minister of Spain . However, two years later

1649-494: Is believed that he had contact with some prisoners who told him about the hardness of the dungeons of Tétouan. Diplomat and explorer Leo Africanus , while visiting the city, mentions in his book Description of Africa that there were 3,000 captives, although some historians dispute that figure. Other accounts came from captives themselves such as Germain Moüette , who spoke of horrible conditions lived inside those mazmorras in

1746-614: Is home to l'Institut National des Beaux-Arts (National Institute of Fine Arts), the only national arts institution of higher education in Morocco . It was founded in 1945. Its promoter and first director was the Spanish Orientalist painter Mariano Bertuchi  [ es ] . The city also hosts the Ecole Nationale d'Architecture , a public architecture school. Tétouan's public Abdelmalek Essaâdi University

1843-527: Is situated in the middle of a belt of orchards that grow oranges , almonds , pomegranates , and cypress trees. The Rif Mountains are nearby, as the city is located in the Martil Valley . It is picturesquely situated on the northern slope of a fertile valley down which flows the Martil river, with the harbour of Tétouan, Martil , at its mouth. Behind rise rugged masses of rock, the southern wall of

1940-821: Is the Latin name for a region in the ancient Maghreb . It extended from central present-day Algeria to the Atlantic , encompassing northern present-day Morocco , and from the Mediterranean in the north to the Atlas Mountains . Its native inhabitants, of Berber ancestry, were known to the Romans as the Mauri and the Masaesyli . In 25 BC, the kings of Mauretania became Roman vassals until about 44 AD, when

2037-667: Is the most popular and folk singers such as Abdessadeq Cheqara are widely known in Morocco. Other popular local genres like Taktoka Jabaliya also exist and are usually played at weddings. Tétouan hosts many international festivals such as the International Mediterranean Film Festival, and the International Oud and Women's Voice (أصوات نسائية) Festival. On November 20, 2013, the city's Centro de Arte Moderno (Center of Modern Art)

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2134-801: The warqa pastry now used in pastilla . For Gil Marks, it was rather the Sephardic Jews who introduced the Ottoman warqa, which the Moroccans substituted for the Spanish pastry. In 1844, Morocco lost a war against the French and in 1856, it signed the Anglo-Moroccan treaties of Friendship with the British. The Spaniards saw the Moroccan defeat in 1844 and the treaties signed in 1865 as

2231-805: The Crown of Castile against the rebellious Infantes of Aragon . At the request of John II of Castile , Duarte de Menezes was subsequently posted to serve on the frontier of the Emirate of Granada , but stayed only a few months. In August 1444, regent Peter of Coimbra appointed Duarte de Menezes to the high office of alferes-mor (standard-bearer) of the realm. Duarte accompanied constable Peter of Portugal (regent Peter's son) in another interventionist incursion into Castile in July 1445. The relationship between Peter and Duarte de Menezes ended abruptly when King Afonso V of Portugal reached majority in 1448 and dismissed

2328-468: The French conquest of Algeria . This influence manifests itself prominently in the sweets of Tetouan, which include qatayef and baklava . Traditional craftsmanship is concentrated in the old medina where every industry has its own quarter with the same name where workshops and shops are found. Among them are Zellige (tilework), pottery , plaster engravings , embroidery , inlaying with silver wire,

2425-601: The Nasrid city of Granada in the decade before it fell in the hands of the Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile as the War of Granada was completed in 1492. Thousands of Muslims and Jews from Andalusia settled in the north of Morocco and on the ruins of the city of Tétouan. The city went through a prosperous period of reconstruction and growth in various fields and became

2522-696: The Reconquista and the Spanish Inquisition . This Jewish Sephardi community spoke a form of Judaeo-Spanish known as Haketia . According to the World Jewish Congress there were only 100 Moroccan Jews remaining in Tétouan by 2015. In 1790, a pogrom occurred, started by Sultan Yazid . The mellah , where the Jews lived, was pillaged and many women raped. At this point there was an emigration of Tetouani Jews to Gibraltar , where

2619-563: The UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the area of Crafts and Folk Art since 2017. According to Leo Africanus , the name comes after the Goths bestowed the government of the town upon a woman with one eye and that the inhabitants called it Tetteguin , meaning "eye" in their language. The current name is first mentioned in 9th-century Arabic chronicles, after the death of Idris II . A few miles outside of

2716-640: The 530s. In the 7th century there were eight Romano-Moorish kingdoms: Altava , Ouarsenis , Hodna , Aures , Nemenchas , Capsa , Dorsale (ar) and Cabaon . The last resistance against the Arab invasion was sustained in the second half of the 7th century mainly by the Roman-Moorish kingdoms -with the last Byzantine troops in the region- under the leadership of the Christian king of Altava Caecilius , but later ended in complete defeat in 703 AD (when

2813-555: The Andalusians paid a large amount of mithqal , thus insuring their autonomy. Instantly, the Andalusians, assisted by tribes from the surrounding mountains, started harassing the Spanish possessions on the Moroccan coast. These attacks led to the destruction of the city's harbor by the Spanish in 1565. During this time, the city was governed by the Andalusian Abu Hassan al-Mandri and the city remained autonomous from

2910-551: The Anjera country, once practically closed to Europeans; across the valley are the hills which form the northern limit of the still more impenetrable Rif . Tétouan features a Mediterranean climate with Köppen climate classification of Csa . Located along the Mediterranean Sea, the weather in Tétouan is mild, cold, and rainy during the winter, hot and dry in the summer months. During the 1920s, activists belonging to

3007-507: The Ceuta troops in the center of the overland march to Tangier . Duarte de Menezes helped lead the way, carrying the royal standard in his father's place (Pedro de Menezes, the alferes-mor (standard-bearer) of the realm, was too ill to accompany the march). The siege of Tangier had only started, when Duarte received the news that his father's illness had taken a turn for the worse. Duarte rushed back to Ceuta, just in time to receive his father's blessing before he expired on September 22. For

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3104-641: The Christian captives' freedom. Miguel De Cervantes , himself a captive in Algiers, Algeria between 1575 and 1580, refers to Mazmorras in El juez de los divorcios (The Divorce Judge), where the protagonist compares his marriage to "captivity in Tetouan's caves." He also mentions it in Don Quixote , in addition to talking about Tétouan in El trato de Argel , La gran sultana and La ilustre fregona . It

3201-520: The Free Institute ( Arabic : المعهد الحر) . After this was approved, the Free Institute was established on November 5, 1935. The students of the Institute were among the first to demonstrate and protest against the Spanish administration. The year 1948, in which bloody events took place between the citizens demanding independence and the Spanish colonialism, in which a student of the institute

3298-491: The Marinid army returned and resumed the siege on 2 July 1459. Once again, Duarte de Menezes rallied the defenses of Alcácer-Ceguer and held out. Oddly, Duarte sent for his family from Portugal, who somehow managed to penetrate the siege lines and reach the city. The success of this venture helped lift the morale of the garrison. At length, on 24 August 1459, Abd al-Haqq II called off the siege. In April 1460, having engaged in

3395-561: The National Movement carried out a popular campaign under the leadership of the Special Education Committee established in 1934. In the summer of 1935, a group of activists met at the house of Mustafa Afilal, and after a long debate about educational dimensions, material resources, and other things, the group concluded by approving the establishment of a special secondary educational institution. The name of

3492-474: The Navigator agreed to a treaty that promised to restore Ceuta to the Marinids. Rather than return to Lisbon, Henry proceeded immediately to Ceuta, ostensibly to instruct Duarte to prepare to evacuate the garrison, but Henry ended up barricading himself in his rooms in a deep depression. In the end, the Portuguese refused to honor the treaty, and decided to hold on to Ceuta, leaving the royal hostage Ferdinand

3589-714: The Saadi sultans, with the Saadis constantly trying to assert their power. As early as the 1530s and 1540s, at the time when Spain and the Ottoman Empire were disputing control over the western part of the Mediterranean, piracy was spreading and soon Tétouan became one of the main centers of piracy in the region. Corsairs considered it as a form of retaliation against the Spanish Reconquista that led to

3686-597: The Saint Prince to die in Moroccan captivity. Back in Portugal, despite his father's efforts and his own illustrious military record, Duarte de Menezes was only able to inherit his family title of Count of Viana do Alentejo . The crown-granted titles of Count of Vila Real , alferes-mor of the kingdom and governor of Ceuta went to Duarte's legitimate sister Brites de Menezes and her consort Fernando de Noronha . Duarte de Menezes left Ceuta shortly after, passing

3783-618: The Spanish evacuated in May 1862. In 1913, it became the capital of the Spanish protectorate of Morocco , which was governed by the Khalifa (Moroccan prince, serving as Viceroy for the Sultan), and the Spanish " Alto Comisario " accredited to him, and it remained its capital until 1956. Tétouan was one of the most active Moroccan cities in resisting colonialism. The nationalist movement in Tétouan

3880-699: The Vandals in 442, confirming their control of Proconsular Africa. For the next 90 years, Africa was firmly under the Vandal control. The Vandals were ousted from Africa in the Vandalic War of 533–534, from which time Mauretania at least nominally became a Roman province once again. The old provinces of the Roman Diocese of Africa were mostly preserved by the Vandals, but large parts, including almost all of Mauretania Tingitana , much of Mauretania Caesariensis and Mauretania Sitifensis and large parts of

3977-715: The Visigoths in 624 AD, reducing "Mauretania Seconda" opposite Gibraltar to only the fort of Septem. Christianity is known to have existed in Mauretania as early as the 3rd century. It spread rapidly in these areas despite its relatively late appearance in the region. Although it was adopted in the urban areas of Mauretania Caesariensis, the hinterlands retained the Romano-Berber religion. Duarte de Menezes, 3rd Count of Viana Dom Duarte de Menezes , ( Lisbon , 1414 – near Tétouan , Morocco , 20 January 1464)

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4074-649: The alcaideship of Beja for benefices in Redinha . Duarte de Menezes returned to Alcácer-Ceguer in 1461. That very year, he is known to have led three raiding sorties to the outskirt of Tangier . In August 1462, Duarte de Menezes crossed the Straits of Gibraltar , to help the Castilians seize Gibraltar from the Emirate of Granada In 1463, Afonso V of Portugal decided to lead another expedition to Africa, this time to seize Tangier. Duarte de Menezes advised against

4171-419: The area was annexed to Rome and divided into two provinces: Mauretania Tingitana and Mauretania Caesariensis . Christianity spread there from the 3rd century onwards. After the Muslim Arabs subdued the region in the 7th century, Islam became the dominant religion. Mauretania existed as a tribal kingdom of the Berber Mauri people . In the early 1st century Strabo recorded Maûroi (Μαῦροι in Greek ) as

4268-459: The attack. Duarte de Menezes held his position long enough to allow the king to slip away, but was himself eventually cut down. The rattled Afonso V scrambled back to Ceuta and thereupon back to Portugal. The remains of Duarte de Menezes were never recovered from the Benacofu hills. A single finger (or a single tooth), alleged to have belonged to Duarte de Menezes, eventually turned up. Upon that sparse relic, his wife Isabel de Castro commissioned

4365-474: The authority of the Vicarius of the diocese of Hispaniae : During the crisis of the 3rd century , parts of Mauretania were reconquered by Berber tribes. Direct Roman rule became confined to a few coastal cities (such as Septem in Mauretania Tingitana and Cherchell in Mauretania Caesariensis ) by the late 3rd century. Historical sources about inland areas are sparse, but these were apparently controlled by local Berber rulers who, however, maintained

4462-422: The capital of the Spanish protectorate of Morocco , which was governed by the Khalifa (Moroccan prince serving as Viceroy for the Sultan ), and the Spanish " Alto Comisario " accredited to him. It remained the capital until 1956, when Morocco regained its full independence. Tétouan is a renowned multicultural center. The medina of Tétouan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. It has also been part of

4559-488: The central government. Elements of military constructions can be found in the original fortifications such as the three forts, the seven gates, and the large outer walls that surround the old medina. They have survived despite the changes that occurred through the expansions known to the city during multiple periods. Tétouan received a number of Algerian immigrants following the French invasion of Algiers in 1830. According to Bouhlila, they introduced baklava , coffee , and

4656-407: The city during the 20th-century rural flights. The use of Spanish and French is still widespread, especially among businessmen and intellectual elites, due to past colonial ties and the geographic proximity to Europe. The city is situated about 60 km east of the city of Tangier and 40 km south of the Strait of Gibraltar . To the south and west of the city, there are mountains. Tétouan

4753-424: The city in a two-day assault on 23–24 October 1458. Afonso V appointed Duarte de Menezes as the first captain and governor of Alcácer-Ceguer. Duarte de Menezes first order of business was to prepare the defenses of the citadel for the inevitable reaction by the Marinids. The Moroccan army, led by Abd al-Haqq II, laid siege to the Alcácer-Ceguer in November 1458. A Portuguese relief fleet was prevented from reaching

4850-434: The city limits lies the ancient town of Tamuda . Early settlements at the outskirts of the actual city by ancient Mauretanians date back to the 3rd century BC. Artifacts from both the Phoenician and the Roman era have been found at the site of Tamuda . It became a Roman colony under Emperor Augustus . In 1286, the Marinids built a casbah and mosque there. The first large-scale building project took place in 1305 when

4947-417: The city, leaving Duarte de Menezes and the little garrison to hold out on their own against the Marinid siege for nearly two months. Duarte de Menezes is said to have engaged in singular heroics, leading several bold sallies to break up Marinid assaults. After 53 days, having taken enough damage from the sallies and the onset of disease, the Moroccan army lifted the siege on 2 January 1459. Six months later,

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5044-529: The early 20th century. Many Sufi Zawiyas are scattered inside the walled old city. Tétouan has rich culinary traditions unique within Moroccan cuisine , and the influence of, Arab , Amazigh , Andalusi , Turkish and Spanish cuisines is noted in the variety of dishes and pastries. Amazigh and Arab cuisine are present in staples of Moroccan cuisine such as cuscus and rafissa or thrid , respectively. As in other Moroccan cities like Salé and Fes, Tétouan inherited Andalusi culinary traditions through

5141-434: The erection of a magnificently-carved effigy tomb for Duarte de Menezes, embedded in an arcosolium at a Franciscan cloister in Santarém, Portugal . In 1928, the tomb as a whole was moved from the cloister to the nearby museum-church of São João de Alporão in Santarém . Shortly after his return to Portugal in 1464, King Afonso V instructed the royal chronicler Gomes Eanes de Zurara to drop his other tasks and write down

5238-713: The first newspapers in Morocco, El Eco de Tetuan , was published in the city in 1860. In the colonial period, whereas France took measures to censor publications in Arabic in the area under its control , Tetuan, the capital of the northern Spanish area , became a center of publishing and the capital of Moroccan literary life. Many historic newspapers were published in Tetuan, including the first nationalist publication in Morocco, as-Salaam October 1933, followed by al-Hurriya and others. These were published by members of this intellectual circle in Tetuan that included figures like Abdesalam Bennuna , Muhammad Daoud , Abdelkhaleq Torres , and Abdellah Guennoun . The vast majority of

5335-408: The garrison over to Fernando de Noronha, and returned to Portugal by July 1438. King Edward of Portugal quickly regretted his decision, and personally apologized to Duarte for failing to appoint him to Ceuta and tried to make up for it by appointing him alcaide of Beja and other benefices. After Edward's death in September 1438, Duarte de Menezes, re-appointed as alferes-mor , personally carried

5432-409: The guns signalled success of the sea landing, attacked impetuously, before realizing his error. The king is said to have chided his companions for persuading him to ignore the counsel of Duarte de Menezes. King Afonso V returned to Ceuta , dispatching his brother, the Infante Ferdinand , with some troops to Duarte in Alcácer-Ceguer in December, while contemplating his next move. But without awaiting

5529-505: The houses belonging to aristocratic families, descendants of those expelled from Al-Andalus by the Spanish Reconquista, possess marble fountains and have groves planted with orange trees. Within the houses and riads the ceilings are often exquisitely carved and painted in Hispano-Moresque designs, such as are found in the Alhambra of Granada , and the tilework for which Tétouan is known may be seen on floors, pillars, and dados . The city has seven gates which were closed at night up until

5626-407: The implementation of the IMF's and the World Bank 's structural adjustment programme. The revolt was thwarted by a military intervention. Twenty people were killed in Tétouan and many others were arrested and received heavy sentences. Many people in the city still speak Spanish . On road signs, names are often written both in Spanish and in Arabic , though many signs are in Arabic and French ,

5723-430: The institution remained suspended until the end of the year. After additional meetings, nationalist leader and Professor Abdelkhalek Torres , being impressed with the role played by the "free men" in the era of the Second Spanish Republic , said to his colleagues: most of the men of science, thought and liberation in Spain, graduated from Madrid's Instituto Libre . Therefore, I hope and suggest that you call our institute

5820-436: The interior of Numidia and Byzacena , had been lost to the inroads of Berber tribes, now collectively called the Mauri (later Moors ) as a generic term for "the Berber tribes in the province of Mauretania". In 533, the Roman army under Belisarius defeated the Vandals. In April 534, Justinian published a law concerning the administrative organization of the newly acquired territories. Nevertheless, Justinian restored

5917-456: The king's instructions, and against the strenuous objections of Duarte de Menezes, in January 1464, the Infante Ferdinand decided to assault Tangier by himself. It failed. He tried again a week later, and it failed again, with great casualties. By this time, Afonso V had decided upon abandoning the enterprise, but was determined not to return to Portugal without some glorious feat of arms. In late January 1464, Afonso V decided to personally lead

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6014-418: The large Jewish population maintains links with the community in Tetouan. In 1807, Sultan Slimane relocated the mellah south of the medina to build a large mosque at its previous location inside the medina. The Mellah of Tetuan was sacked in the Hispano-Moroccan War of 1860, when there were 16 to 18 synagogues. This was followed by appeals in the European Jewish press to support Jewish communities like

6111-462: The late 13th century, the Marinids started by building a casbah and mosque in what is now the old city. Soon after in 1305, the scale of the settlement was expanded by sultan Abu Thabit Amir , who fortified the place. Around the early 15th century, the Castilians destroyed the settlement in retaliation for piracy. The modern history of the city starts around the late 15th century. It was re-built and fortified by Ali al-Mandri , who emigrated from

6208-417: The late 17th century. Piracy continued and in 1829, the Austrian Empire bombarded the city in reprisal. The underground prison was explored in 1922 by Cesar Luis de Montalban, based on a report by archaeologist Manuel Gómez-Moreno Martínez . The Spanish protectorate administration then commissioned architect Carlos Ovilo to study the site but they found out that no excavation could be possible without taking

6305-442: The life and feats of Duarte de Menezes (Zurara had already written a hagiography of his father, Pedro de Menezes). For research, Zurara spent a full year in Alcácer-Ceguer, interviewing his companions and soldiers, visiting the sites of Duarte's battles, and, surprisingly enough for the time, also interviewing his Moroccan enemies. Zurara's Chronica do Conde D. Duarte de Menezes , the longest and best-researched of Zurara's chronicles,

6402-487: The loss of their homes back in al-Andalus , especially that the timing coincided with the first Morisco influx to Tétouan due to the forced conversions they faced in Spain between 1501 and 1526. Their collaborators included English and Dutch renegades who were mostly Protestants , although a few had converted to Islam . While the harbor served as a port from where piracy missions were launched, captives were taken to dungeons . There were underground prison complexes with

6499-553: The manufacture of thick-soled yellow slippers, much-esteemed flintlocks, and artistic towels used as capes and skirts by Jebala women in rural areas. The Lucas Museum of Religious Heritage ( متحف لوقش للتراث الديني ) is housed in the historic Madrasat Lucas in Tetuan. In addition to archaeological, traditional, and modern art museums, as well as an archival library, Tétouan hosts a school of music and many artisan schools. Different music genres of local or regional origins can be found in Tétouan. Traditional Andalusian classical music

6596-554: The military-religious-sociocultural-administrative organization of the Roman Empire... In an inscription from Altava in western Algeria, one of these rulers, Masuna , described himself as rex gentium Maurorum et Romanorum (king of the Roman and Moorish peoples). Altava was later the capital of another ruler, Garmul or Garmules, who resisted Byzantine rule in Africa but was finally defeated in 578. The Byzantine historian Procopius also mentions another independent ruler, Mastigas , who controlled most of Mauretania Caesariensis in

6693-473: The national movement in northern Morocco, especially in Tétouan under Spanish protectorate , made science and education a supreme goal of their struggle to combat colonialism. In 1924, and after considerable effort and determination, they established a primary school and named it the "Al Madrasa al-Ahliyah" ( Arabic : المدرسة الأهلية meaning National School). Among them were historian Mohammed Daoud , Abdel Salam Bennouna, and Mustafa Afilal. To this end, members of

6790-421: The native name of a people opposite the Iberian Peninsula . This appellation was adopted into Latin, whereas the Greek name for the tribe was Mauroúsii (Μαυρούσιοι). The Mediterranean coast of Mauretania had commercial harbours for trade with Carthage from before the 4th century BC, but the interior was controlled by Berber tribes, who had established themselves in the region by the Iron Age . King Atlas

6887-439: The new province of Mauretania Prima , while Mauretania Tingitana, effectively reduced to the city of Septem , was combined with the citadels of the Spanish coast ( Spania ) and the Balearic Islands to form Mauretania Secunda . The African exarch was in possession of Mauretania Secunda , which was little more than a tiny outpost in southern Spain, beleaguered by the Visigoths . The last Spanish strongholds were conquered by

6984-541: The next few days, Duarte de Menezes remained in Ceuta organizing his father's affairs and forwarding cannon and supplies to the siege of Tangier. He was already back in Tangier when the full force of the Marinid army fell upon the besieging Portuguese expeditionary force, and turned the tables around. The Marinids starved the Portuguese siege camp at Tangier into submission. To save his army from destruction, Prince Henry

7081-514: The old administrative division, but raised the overall governor at Carthage to the supreme administrative rank of praetorian prefect , thereby ending the Diocese of Africa's traditional subordination to the Prefecture of Italy (then still under Ostrogoth rule). The emperor Maurice sometime between 585 and 590 AD created the office of "Exarch", which combined the supreme civil authority of

7178-595: The one in Tetuan, leading to an international effort called "The Morocco Relief Fund." The Paris -based international Jewish organization Alliance Israélite Universelle , along with Rabbi Isaac Ben Walid of Tetuan, then opened its first school in Tetuan in 1862. Following the exodus of Jews from Morocco after 1948 , there were very few Jews left in Tétouan. By 1967, only 12 remained (López Álvarez, 2003). During that period, many emigrated to South America and much later to Israel , Spain , France , and Canada . Today,

7275-596: The only synagogue remaining is the Rabbi Isaac Bengualid Synagogue , which serves as a museum. Tétouan was further expanded when it became the capital of the Spanish protectorate in Morocco between 1913 and 1956. The Spanish administration built several new neighborhoods outside the walled medina. The city underwent an intense urban transformation for which its new neighborhoods and buildings, called " Ensanche " (meaning extension), acquired an image very similar to those of other Spanish cities of

7372-460: The plan, urging greater reliance on the element of surprise. But the old veteran's advice was set aside, in large part on account of the jealous intrigues of his nephew, Pedro de Menezes, 3rd Count of Vila Real (then governor of Ceuta ) who persuaded the king that Duarte merely sought to prevent anyone but himself from achieving glories in Africa. The expedition set out in November 1463, and met

7469-505: The population are Muslims . There is a small Christian community. The numbers of the Jewish community have declined sharply in recent decades. It numbered no more than a dozen persons in 2014. Notable spiritual leaders include Sufi saint Ahmad ibn Ajiba and Jewish Rabbis Yosef Maimon and Isaac Ben Walid . Tetuan also had a vibrant Sephardi Jewish community with ties to Al-Andalus . The streets are fairly wide and straight, and many of

7566-406: The queen Kahina died in battle). The Vandals conquered the Roman province beginning in the 420s. The city of Hippo Regius fell to the Vandals in 431 after a prolonged siege, and Carthage also fell in 439. Theodosius II dispatched an expedition to deal with the Vandals in 441, which failed to progress farther than Sicily . The Western Empire under Valentinian III secured peace with

7663-584: The regent Peter. Afonso V immediately dispatched Duarte de Menezes as military governor of Pombal , a critical fortress on the borderlands of Coimbra , to keep a check on the dismissed regent's movements. Duarte de Menezes fought for the king against Peter at the Battle of Alfarrobeira in May 1449. In reward for his loyalty, Duarte de Menezes' royal pensions were expanded, and his crown-granted titles, including alferes-mor , confirmed inheritable in his family. In October 1458, King Afonso V of Portugal launched

7760-566: The region from 33 BC to 25 BC. Mauretania eventually became a client kingdom of the Roman Empire in 25 BC when the Romans installed Juba II of Numidia as their client-king. On his death in AD 23, his Roman-educated son Ptolemy of Mauretania succeeded him. The Emperor Caligula had Ptolemy executed in AD 40. The Roman Emperor Claudius annexed Mauretania directly as a Roman province in AD 44, placing it under an imperial governor (either

7857-544: The risk of damaging the housing above the site. Since then, no excavation has taken place, although recently, some researchers and civil associations have called for the authorities to extend exploration and restoration before opening it to the public. In the 17th century, the city was governed by the wealthy al-Naksis family. At the end of the century, the city was taken by the Alaouite sultan Moulay Ismail , who encountered fierce resistance. Tétouan remained fragile, until it

7954-519: The royal standard during the acclamation of the young King Afonso V of Portugal . In the subsequent regency crisis, Duarte de Menezes, like much of the nobility, sided with the queen-regent Eleanor of Aragon against the king's popular uncle, Peter of Coimbra . But he eventually reconciled with the regent Peter, and was confirmed in his titles. Duarte de Menezes reputation and experience prompted Peter to appoint him to sensitive military posts. Duarte led Portuguese incursions in 1441 and 1444, to assist

8051-558: The second language of modern Morocco. Tétouan is famed for its fine craftsmanship and musical delicacy and has been part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the area of Crafts and Folk Art since 2017. Its cultural heritage is the product of the interaction between different cultural influences throughout centuries. It is mainly characterized by its Andalusian style and way of living, but Berber, Jewish, and colonial Spanish influences are present too. The city has produced many scholars in different disciplines throughout centuries. One of

8148-523: The settlement was expanded by the Marinid sultan Abu Thabit Amir . He fortified the place and had it serve as a base for attacks on Ceuta , which had recently come under the rule of a rebellious member of the Marinid dynasty. In 1399, it was destroyed by the Castilians , because pirates used it for their attacks. The Portuguese were already occupying the neighboring Ceuta and in 1436, its commander Pedro de Menezes, 1st Count of Vila Real dispatched

8245-510: The time. Its structure was organized around a large circular plaza , now called 'Plaza Mulay el Mehdi' (formerly Plaza Primo de Rivera ). The influence of the protectorate has remained important even after the independence of the country in 1956. In January 1984, and in the midst of the Years of Lead under the reign of King Hassan II (died 1999), a revolt spread into several cities for a number of days due to price hikes for basic goods following

8342-416: The waves of migration terminating with the arrival of the expelled Moriscos 1609–1614. This manifests itself in classic dishes such as pastilla . However, the pastilla traditionally made in Tetouan is more savory than sweet, with more preserved lemon and no sugar or almonds. Tétouan has been also influenced by Algerian and Ottoman cuisine, and this is due to the wave of migrants from Algeria following

8439-466: Was a 15th-century Portuguese nobleman and military figure. Duarte de Menezes (sometimes modernized as 'de Meneses') was the 3rd Count of Viana do Alentejo , 2nd Count of Viana (da Foz do Lima) , Lord of Caminha and the first Portuguese captain of Alcácer-Ceguer . Duarte de Menezes was an illegitimate son of Portuguese nobleman D. Pedro de Menezes, 1st Count of Vila Real and first governor of Ceuta , and Isabel Domingues, an unmarried woman known as

8536-518: Was a legendary king of Mauretania credited with inventing the celestial globe . The first known historical king of the Mauri, Baga , ruled during the Second Punic War of 218–201 BC. The Mauri were in close contact with Numidia . Bocchus I ([fl.] 110 BC) was father-in-law to the redoubted Numidian king Jugurtha . After the death of king Bocchus II in 33 BC Rome directly administered

8633-405: Was already knighted by 15. In 1430, Pedro de Menezes took an extended leave in Portugal, leaving Duarte, at the age of 16, as captain of the Portuguese garrison in Ceuta, with the guidance of his older brother-in-law, Ruy Gomes da Silva , alcaide of Campo Maior. His father returned in 1434, but continued to rely on Duarte as his lieutenant. In 1436–37, preparations were underway in Portugal for

8730-446: Was finished around 1468 (although no complete manuscript copy has yet been found - it is estimated around a third of it has been lost; Zurara's chronicle - riddled with gaps - was first published in 1793). In 1627, Agostinho Manuel de Vasconcellos probably drew upon Zurara's account to compose his own Vida de Don Duarte de Meneses . Duarte de Menezes married twice. While a bachelor, Duarte de Menezes also had an illegitimate son from

8827-619: Was founded in 1993. The 16th-century Moroccan sultan Abu Marwan Abd al-Malik I Saadi is the university's namesake. The university has a student body of 86,000, one of the largest in Morocco. The Faculty of Theology ( Arabic  : كلية أصول الدين) was established in 1963 and was an affiliate of the prestigious Al Quaraouiyine University in Fez until 2015, when it was annexed to Abdelmalek Essaâdi University. Mauretania Mauretania ( / ˌ m ɒr ɪ ˈ t eɪ n i ə , ˌ m ɔːr ɪ -/ ; Classical Latin : [mau̯.reːˈt̪aː.ni.a] )

8924-465: Was himself defeated and executed by Elagabalus the next year. Emperor Diocletian's Tetrarchy reform (293) further divided the area into three provinces, as the small, easternmost region of Sitifensis was split off from Mauretania Caesariensis. The Notitia Dignitatum (c. 400) mentions them as still existing, two being under the authority of the Vicarius of the diocese of Africa: And, under

9021-669: Was killed by colonial agents, was a milestone in its history. The Spanish administration began to take over the institute. All the staff were arrested and imprisoned in Ceuta . However, weeks later, historian Tuhami al-Wazzani , who was then the director of the elementary school, joined the institute and asked the college students to help teach the younger ones so that the institute would not stop teaching altogether. Since then, secondary education has ceased and has been limited to primary education up to this day. Many graduates continued their higher education in Spain, Cairo , and Baghdad . Tétouan

9118-402: Was launched and currently holds between 180 and 200 artworks from both self-trained artists and graduates of the city's National Institute of Fine Arts . The city has its own dialect, a particular citadin variant of non- Hilalian Arabic which is distinct from Arabic Jeblia . However, Jeblia, which is a dialect of Darija, is predominant since people from the neighboring rural areas settled in

9215-430: Was led by the charismatic leader Abdelkhalek Torres and other personalities such as Abdessalam Bennuna and historian Mohammed Daoud . The movement was part of the pan-Arab nationalist movements . They established deep ties with Arab nationalist leaders such as former Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser and Lebanese Druze prince and intellectual Shakib Arslan . When Arsalan wanted to visit Morocco in August 1930, he

9312-517: Was not given a permit by the French protectorate so instead he went to Tangier, which then had international status under foreign colonial powers, and from there to Tétouan, where he met the group. Many of the members later joined the National Party for Istiqlal . Others joined some other nationalist parties, of which many members were women. Tétouan has been home to a significant Sephardi Jewish community which immigrated from Spain after

9409-642: Was taken by the Alaouite governor of Tangier and leader of a moroccan army that had occupied Tangier after the English had evacuated the possession . The Alaouite governor ushered in a period of stability in Tétouan, building many of the city's landmarks such as the Meshwar palace and the Pasha mosque, the oldest standing mosque in Tétouan. After his death, the city again rebelled and was only nominally controlled by

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