*****SAFI MAP *****

Safi history

Safi (ancient Asfi), seaport, western Morocco, on the Atlantic Ocean. It is a centre for the fishing industry

of Morocco and also for the export of phosphates. Pottery is manufactured. Safi is a compactly built, fortified city dominated by a 16th-centuryruined castle of the sultans. The city was held by the Portuguese until 1541. Subsequently it came under French control until Morocco became an

independent nation in 1956.

Safi. The old city

The old city of Safi is one of the two hearts of Safi — about one kilometre the centre of the new centre is, and in between the two there is fairly little going on.
The old city is apparently not the place of the people with money, but the little Safi has of tourist traffic is staged here, in between the ceramic shops that try to sell as much to as good a price as possible .

Safi. Pottery capital

The city it self is charming, with an old city very much alive. Here you might be tempted to buy pottery, seeing all shapes and patterns in a lot of shops, but then you are in one of the best places in Morocco. There are plenty of opportunities to walk around and look at people working on their pottery. When you have been in places like Moulay Idriss you will have seen the beautiful covering on the roofs, made out of green tiles. Safi is the place where these are produced.

Safi. Potters' quarter

The potters' quarter, just out of the city walls, is one of Safi's most definite attractions. As strange as it might seem, life here goes on as always, even with several tour groups stopping by every day. All around this area, chimneys formed like large beehive-kilns are found.

Above you see two basic levels of tile production. The man to the right is not forming a vase — the top is cut off, and the result is a cylinder that is open in both ends, and with one radius wider than the other. After this, the cylinder is cut in two parts, and if nothing breaks, two new tiles only needs to be dried

Safi at night

A walk around Safi at night is not a lonely one. While so many other Moroccan cities have a tendency of dying quickly after sunset, Safi goes on deep into the night.
The artificial and sparse light helps new contours and colours to stand out, while they might be turned almost invisible from the strong sun light during day time.

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Safi. CAstle and Sea

Called Castle at the Sea, which is the meaning of the Arabic Dar el Bahar, is the main symbol of Safi, and the city's most photographed site. It is best viewed from the outside, but you will not get a good feeling of it until you actually enter.
The interior is very, very simple, which reflects the style of its period: early 16th century. Finding your way around is equally easy, the marvellous views of the sea and the port of Safi. To the right you see the entry to the ramparts.

Looking back at the main gate and the city of Safi in the back. To the right you see the staircase coming up from the main dungeon.
Safi. The Kechla

This is another Portuguese fortress. It is like the sea castle of Portuguese origin, but is larger and located about 500 meter from the sea. It is now the home of a exhibit of local ceramics.