Azemmour

Azemmour
Azmmur ⴰⵣⵎⵎⵓⵔ أزمور
Azamor / Azemmour
Town

Azemmour old city.
Azemmour

Location of Azemmour in Morocco

Coordinates: 33°17′16″N 8°20′32″W / 33.28778°N 8.34222°W / 33.28778; -8.34222Coordinates: 33°17′16″N 8°20′32″W / 33.28778°N 8.34222°W / 33.28778; -8.34222
Country  Morocco
Region Casablanca-Settat
Province El Jadida Province
Population
  Total approx. 40,000

Azemmour or Azamor (from berber: Azmmur or Azemmur "The Olive" ; Portuguese: Azamor) is a Moroccan city, on the left bank of the Oum Er-Rbia River, 75 km southwest of Casablanca. Although it was a dependency of the King of Fez, Azemmour had great autonomy. In 1486 its inhabitants became vassals and tributaries of João II of Portugal. Manuel I of Portugal confirmed the treaty in 1497 and the city paid 10 000 savéis every year. When resistance began to grow against paying tribute, Manuel in 1508 sent a small fleet commanded by João de Meneses to conquer the city.

In 1513 Azemmour's governor Moulay Zayam refused to pay the tribute and mustered a powerful, well-equipped army. Manuel responded to this challenge by sending a massive fleet of 500 ships and 15 thousand soldiers (Bergreen, 19). James, Duke of Braganza led this army and on 1 September he conquered the city with no resistance from its inhabitants. Ferdinand Magellan, the man famed for leading the first-ever circumnavigation of the earth, was among the Portuguese soldiers there; he lost his horse in skirmishes outside the city. Portuguese control of the city lasted only for a short period; it was abandoned by João III of Portugal in 1541 due to his court's economic difficulties.

The patron saint of Azemmour is Abu Shuayb. His mausoleum was built on the order of Mohammed ben Abdallah. Each year a moussem is celebrated to honour him.

The Azemmour Festival is held annually on July.

Azemmour's beach, referred to locally as Azemmour Plage, is a place for surfing and kitesurfing.[1]

The Old City's walls are decorated by several local artists.[2]

Notable natives or residents

See also

Images

Sources

References

  1. Azemmour Things To Do - Travel Guides, VirtualTourist.com
  2. Travel guide of Lonely Planet: Morocco, 9th Edition Feb 2009, ISBN 978-1-74104-971-8 page 149.
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