Toll Free
1800-787-8806
Morocco
212-618882681
Connect With Us: 1800-787-8806
Tour Information
Tangier Jewish Heritage
Tangier Jewish Heritge Tour: Explore Morocco's Port City, The Bride of the North
Discover the Rich Jewish Legacy of Tangier
Embark on a captivating journey through Tangier's Jewish heritage with our private tour, exploring the city's fascinating Sephardic history and cultural landmarks. Tangier, the capital of the Tétouan Region, boasts a rich Jewish history dating back to the 5th century BC. Located at the western entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic Ocean off Cape Spartel, this cosmopolitan city has been shaped by various civilizations and cultures. By exploring Tangier's Jewish Heritage, visitors gain insight into the rich tapestry of Moroccan-Jewish history and the enduring legacy of Sephardic culture in North Africa. This tour not only showcases the historical sites but also tells the story of the Golden Age of Moroccan coexistence and the lasting impact of the Sephardic diaspora on Moroccan society.
This full-day experience offers:
- Duration: 9:00am - 4:00pm
- Luxury vehicle transportation with driver
- Multilingual, expert Jewish heritage guide
- Customizable itinerary for Casablanca private tours or Tangier shore excursions
Book Your Tangier Jewish Heritage Tour or Tangier Shore Excursion:
- Book Here or Call (800) 787-8806
- Email: alecia@travel-exploration.com
The Sephardic Influence in Tangier
The Jewish history of Tangier is deeply intertwined with the Sephardic exodus from Spain and Portugal:
- First Jewish migration: After the destruction of the First Temple in Jerusalem, Jews settled among the Berbers in Tangier (then known as Tanja or Tingus).
- Sephardic influx: During the 1492 Alhambra Decree, a second wave of Jewish migration from the Iberian Peninsula dramatically changed Moroccan Jewry.
- The newly arrived Sephardic Jews brought with them the Andalusian liturgy, creating a unique blend of Moroccan and Sephardic traditions.
By 1856, Tangier had become the largest port in Morocco, with a thriving Jewish community that established schools, hospitals, charitable works, and businesses. The Moors and the Jews intermixed in Tangier, living peacefully side by side. Post World War II the Jews of Tangier enjoyed a prosperous and cosmopolitan lives as they were not affected by the war and offered protection by Mohammed V who referred to them as “Moroccans and not only Jews.” The community flourished, reaching its peak in the 1940s with 22,000 Jews in Tangier, while Morocco's total Jewish population exceeded 350,000.
Highlights of the Tangier Jewish Heritage Tour
Moshe Nahon Synagogue
Behind a non descript door, located on Rue Synagogue in Tangier is the Moshe Nahon Synagogue. This last remaining operating synagogue in Tangier is monumental and lavish, ranking among one of the most beautiful synagogues in Morocco. Located on Rue Synagogue, the Moshe Nahon Synagogue is a testament to Tangier's Jewish heritage:
- Built in the 1870s, it's the last remaining operating synagogue in Tangier.
- Lavishly decorated with intricate carvings, hanging lamps, and Jewish artifacts.
- Renovated in 1994, revealing its hidden beauty after years of disrepair.
Chaar Rafael Synagogue
Chaar Rafael is one of the last surviving synagogues and remnants of Jewish Heritage in Tangier.
- Originally a Jewish-owned villa built in 1919, converted to a synagogue in 1954 when the owner, Raphaël Bendriahm died.
- Located at 27 Boulevard Pasteur, in the heart of the European city.
- Nearby are stone outlines of Phoenician tombs, connecting to the ancient Jews who came to Tangier three-thousand years ago.
Tangier Jewish Cemetery
The "old cemetery" is a poignant reminder of Tangier's once-thriving Jewish community:
- Houses over 1,000 graves, some dating back to the 16th century.
- Tombstones in Hebrew, Portuguese, and French reflect the diverse origins of Tangier's Jews.
- While somewhat in ruins, efforts have been made to digitize the tombstones for preservation.
Exploring Tangier's Historic Medina
Your tour will also include key sites in Tangier's medina:
- Grand Socco: A popular nighttime square linking the new city to the old medina.
- Petit Socco: Once the heart of the medina, frequented by businessmen and bankers. and bankers frequented cafes, hotels, casinos and cabarets that have relocated to Ville Nouvelle. Move on to visit the Grand Mosque, built on the site of a Portuguese cathedral. Walking north, you will then visit the Kasbah decorated with mosaics, ornamental stucco and woodcarving.
- Kasbah: Decorated with mosaics, ornamental stucco, and woodcarving, offering panoramic views.
- Guided Tour of Rue Es-Siaghinie, the busiest part of this Roman medina lined with cafes and bazaars, a Spanish church, jewelers’ shops and an arts center displaying works depicting Tangier’s social history.
- Option to visit the American Legation Museum, highlighting the historical connection between Moroccan Jews and American diplomacy. The American Legation Museum located in the oldest American consulate in continuous use. Since 1829/ 1923 when Tangier was established as an International city, there were many Moroccan Jews that served as American proteges, placing them beyond the law of the Sultan.
- Mosque of Sidi Bou Adib: the link between the Ville Nouvelle and the medina.
Jewish Influence in Tangier's History
The Jewish community played a significant role in Tangier's development:
- In 1925, Jews were assigned three out of twenty-six seats on the Legislative Assembly.
- Post-World War II, Jews in Tangier enjoyed prosperity under the protection of Mohammed V.
- The community contributed greatly to Tangier's cosmopolitan character and economic growth.
Contemporary Tangier and Jewish Heritage
Today, while the Jewish population has decreased, efforts to preserve Jewish heritage continue:
- Tangier is undergoing rapid development and modernization.
- Projects include new 5 star hotels along the bay, a modern business district called Tangier City Center, a new airport terminal and a new soccer stadium.
- Investment in the Port of Tangierwhere millions of passengers and goods flow through it every year.
- Al Boraq, a 323-kilometre high-speed rail service (bullett train) between Casablanca and Tangier. The first on the African continent.
- Al Boraq is a 323-kilometre (201 mi) high-speed rail service between Casablanca and Tangier in Morocco. The first of its kind on the African continent, ...
- Cultural events and tours highlighting Sephardic history and traditions.
- Integration of Jewish historical sites into Tangier's broader tourism offerings.
- Ongoing restoration projects for synagogues and cemeteries.
The Tangier Tour also includes visits to:
- Caves of Hercules which have shown evidence of neolithic occupation and before they were a tourist attraction they were brothels. Historically the rock was mined and this was the result of the caves creation. Near Cape Spartel is Spartel Bank, a sunken island hypothesized by some as the location of the legendary island of Atlantic.
- Cap Spartel offers a majestic view of Tangier's coastline and is the most point of mainland Africa. The cape rises to a height of 326 meters. At the top of Jebel Quebir there is a near to the end of the cape which serves as a lighthouse.
- Anglican church of St. Andrew built to cater to Tangier’s growing British population. After, make a stop to appreciate fine works of art at the Musée d’ Art Contemporain showcasing contemporary Moroccan paintings.
- Cafe de Paris, a popular meeting place and former favorite of Paul Bowles.
- Optional visit to Cafe Hafa, offering stunning views of Gibraltar at sunset.
Lunch Recmomendations:
- El Morocco Club – Designed by Vincent Coppe and Oscan Badji, two Tangier lovers, this restaurant and piano bar are located in the Kasbah district in a historic house within the Millennium neighborhood. Originally built by Stuart Church, a renowned architect, painter and decorator who lived in Tangier, this restaurant was once a haven to many of the Beat Generation starts like Mick Jagger. Cozy and sophisticated atmosphere it serves Mediterranean cuisine.
- Le Saveur du Poisson – Popularized by foodie, Anthony Bordain and renowned for it’s local, unique fare, offered by Chez Mohamed from El Hocima, this restaurant is a hidden jewel of Tangier. Le Saveur du Poisson offers a prefixed menu for a reasonable price inclusive of Appetizers is inclusive of fish soup, olives, nuts, home baked bread and spicy chili sauce accompanied by a special drink made from a special blend of fig, prune, and herbs. The entrée is either a blend of spinach, baby shark, and baby squid flaming hot or daily catch. Desert fresh strawberries, raspberries, and pine nuts drizzled with honey. Don’t miss it.
- Traditional Moroccan lunch in the city center then explore Quartier du Marshan, once an attractive residential area west of the Kasbah.
- Cafe Hafa has a grande terrace and gardens that overlook Gilbraltar –perfect at sunset and a former writing spot for Paul Bowles.
Tangier Shore Excursion:
- Tangier is 35 minutes from Spain by modern hydrofoil or two hours by normal ferry boat service.
Tangier: The International Zone
- This port city that is shaped by the sea has attracted famous writers includingPaul Bowles, Tennessee Williams and Truman Capote. Writers of the “Beat Generation” who visited or lived in Tangier include Jack Kerouac, William S. Burroughs,Allen Ginsberg and Brion Gysin, who was also a painter. Notable artists who lived and painted here were Eugene Delacroix and Henri Matisse.
- Celebrities who have stayed in Tangier include The Rolling Stones, who also recorded with the Master Musicians of Jajoukaand Bachir Attar in the kasbah in 1989. Tangier was a favorite home to Woolworth heiress Barbara Hutton, whose lavish parties at Sidi Hosni put Tangier on the map in the international press during from the 1950s through the early 1970s. Forbes magazine publisher Malcolm Forbes held his 70th birthday party in 1989 at his Palais Mendoub for 800 guests, flown in from all over the word, spending over $2.5 million in a week-end celebration.
