In the fifteenth and the seventeenth century, Melilla and Ceuta became Spanish territories or exclaves, respectively. And while Morocco has claimed these territories several times since then, they have been unsuccessful. In my eyes, Spanish Morocco is here to stay — at least for the next decade or two.
Spanish Morocco: The EU in Africa
As with much of Africa, these Spanish exclaves in Morocco were under the rule of several other empires since their discovery. Combined, Melilla and Ceuta have been under Almoravid, Almohad, Marinid, Wattasid, Roman, Vandal, Phoenician, Punic, Ummayyad, Idrisid, Byzantine, Hispano-Visigothic, Amazigh, and Portuguese rule, among others (and not necessarily in that order! Thanks again Wikipedia).
Nowadays, a visit to Melilla or Ceuta is (sort of) like a day in the EU. You get a passport stamp (but pay no visa – yay), cars have EU plates, plus the architecture, customs, and traditions are more similar to Spain than Morocco. It’s like you are stepping out of Africa.
Also note, Spanish Morocco is not confined to these 2 exclaves. Check out the map below in order to see all Spanish holdings in this Arab country:
Spanish Morocco: All territories of España (Spain) in the Arab country (Marruecos), including the Spanish exclaves of Melilla and Ceuta. Map: Wiki Commons
Things to do in Melilla
Thinking of heading to this lesser-known Spanish exclave? Pick a Spanish hostel and check out the following Melilla attractions:
Melilla La Vieja: the Old City
Melilla la Vieja by Miguel González Novo, Flickr
Las Cuevas del Convéntico: underground history
Parque Hernández: botanical gardens
Almacenes de las Peñuelas: municipal museum complex
Melilla’s municipal museum complex (photo: Tripadvisor)
Things to do in Ceuta
Thinking of heading to the most popular Spanish exclave in Morocco? Check out the following Ceuta attractions:
Casa De Los Dragones: Moorish and Spanish architecture
La Casa de los Dragones in Ceuta by Marco Boscolo, Flickr
Conjunto Monumental de las Murallas Reales: breathtaking fortifications
Parque Marítimo del Mediterráneo: the Martime Park
Maritime Park in Ceuta by Jose María Mora Camacho, Flickr
Parroquia de Santa María de Africa: Gothic-Barroque church
Ceuta’s Santa María de Africa church has the mix of fine European art, such as its Gothic Virgin Mary sculpture and Barroque altar (photo by ecemaml, Wiki Commons)
Have you been to Spanish Morocco? Did you know about the EU in Africa?
January 12, 2013 at 6:24 am
It’s interesting that the Spanish Government talks with such passion about the return of Gibraltar yet refuses to discuss the return of these enclaves to Morocco.
January 29, 2013 at 12:52 pm
ah, politics
January 13, 2013 at 6:11 pm
Thank you so much for this post! You’ve inspired me to book a flight to Melilla for a long weekend in March! I’m looking forward to it immensely.
January 29, 2013 at 12:45 pm
yay! Let me know how you like it, Jennifer!
May 10, 2013 at 4:58 pm
It was pretty amazing, not at all what you’d expect. A lot of the architecture was designed by one of Gaudí’s protegés so at times it’s easy to mistake yourself that you’re walking through Barcelona at times. Definitely worth the visit! You can see some of the pictures of it here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/93766742@N07/sets/72157632913088197/