🏖️ Beaches
🏛️ History
Ksar Sghir Archaeological Site
Ksar Sghir archaeological site: a circular Marinid town on the Strait of Gibraltar, crossing point to al-Andalus, Portuguese from 1458 to 1550, uncovered by Moroccan-American excavations from 1972 to 1981.
⚡ In short
Next to Ksar Sghir beach lie the remains of a circular Islamic town that for centuries was the gateway to al-Andalus. Known as Qasr Masmuda and Qasr al-Majaz, it flourished under the Marinids and was occupied by the Portuguese from 1458 to 1550. The site is open to visitors and tells, in a single visit, the story of the Strait and its two shores.
- 🏛️ Circular Marinid town
- ⚓ Gateway to al-Andalus
- 🛡️ Portugal 1458 — 1550
- 🔍 Excavations 1972 — 1981
- 🏖️ Next to the beach
📍 Location
The site lies next to Ksar Sghir’s main beach, on the coast of the Strait of Gibraltar between Tangier and Fnideq. It belongs to the municipality of Ksar El Majaz, Fahs-Anjra province, even though it sits in the heart of Ksar Sghir. It is a few minutes’ walk from the beach, so sea and history combine easily in one day.
📜 From Qasr Masmuda to Qasr al-Majaz
The surrounding area was settled as far back as Roman times, and some researchers believe the place is the “Exilissa” mentioned by ancient sources on the Strait. But the site’s real importance began in the Islamic period, under the name Qasr Masmuda and later Qasr al-Majaz, “the castle of the crossing”, the name today’s municipality of Ksar El Majaz takes after.
Ships crossed to the other shore from here: Ksar Sghir was a base for armies crossing to al-Andalus under the Almoravids, Almohads and Marinids, and a centre of trade with the Kingdom of Granada.
🏛️ The circular Marinid town
What sets Ksar Sghir apart most is its circular shape: a town enclosed by a round wall with towers and gates, a rare layout among Moroccan towns. Under the Marinids the town reached its peak, and excavations uncovered a mosque, a bathhouse and a commercial centre dating from the 12th to the 14th century, evidence of Marinid power and of Ksar Sghir’s role on the Strait.
🛡️ The Portuguese period (1458 — 1550)
In 1458 the Portuguese army led by Afonso V took Ksar Sghir and allowed the Muslims to leave with their belongings. It was the second Moroccan town occupied by Portugal, after Ceuta in 1415 and a failed attempt on Tangier in 1437.
The Portuguese reshaped the Islamic town:
- ⛪A church built on the ruins of the mosque.
- 🏰A castle in the north-east with defence and watch towers, plus reinforced walls and moats.
- 🌊The couraça: a fortified passage from the town to the sea, to keep supplies coming by ship.
- 🛁The Islamic bathhouse became an arsenal, then a prison.
- 🪟Houses and shops on Islamic foundations, with Manueline-style windows, stone-paved streets and public squares.
The Portuguese stayed in Ksar Sghir for about 90 years before leaving in 1550.
🔍 The excavations: ten years of discovery
From 1972 to 1981 a Moroccan-American mission led by archaeologist Charles L. Redman carried out extensive excavations, recommended by the Moroccan Ministry of Culture. Beneath the Portuguese layers it revealed a sequence of Islamic towns, along with mills, storehouses, ovens and presses. Hundreds of thousands of artefacts were recovered: pottery, tools, weapons, jewellery, coins and glassware, shedding light on daily life and trade between the two shores. Workers from nearby villages took part, and many became skilled archaeological craftsmen.
👀 What to see today
Walls and towers
Remains of the circular wall and watch towers.
Residential quarters
House foundations and well-laid alleys.
Facilities and stores
Remains of commercial and service buildings.
View over the Strait
Ruins, sea and the Spanish coast in one view.
📅 When to go
Spring
Mild and green
⭐ BestAutumn
Quiet, lovely light
⭐ BestSummer
Visit plus a beach day
✅ Morning or eveningWinter
Between showers
⚠️ On sunny daysThe best light for photos is early morning and before sunset, when the walls turn golden with the Strait behind them.
🎒 Visiting tips
- 👟Comfortable shoes: the ground is stony and uneven in places.
- 🧢Hat and water in summer.
- 📖Read the story first: knowing the history makes every stone speak.
- 🏖️History and sea: visit the site, then spend the day on Ksar Sghir Beach.
⚠️ Respect the site
The site is national heritage: don’t climb the walls, don’t take any stone or pottery, and don’t write on the walls. Keep it clean for future generations.
🚗 Getting there
- 🚶From the beach: a few minutes on foot; the site is next to the main beach.
- 🚌By bus from Tangier: lines I12 and I3 from the train station to Ksar Sghir.
- 🚗By car from Tangier: on the A5 motorway or national road 16.
- 🚕From Fnideq: by grand taxi on national road 16.
❓ FAQ
Where is the Ksar Sghir archaeological site?
Next to Ksar Sghir’s main beach; it belongs to the municipality of Ksar El Majaz, Fahs-Anjra province.
Is the site open to visitors?
Yes, the site is open to visitors.
What makes Ksar Sghir historically special?
Its rare circular layout and its role as a crossing base to al-Andalus and a trading post with Granada.
When did the Portuguese occupy Ksar Sghir?
From 1458 to 1550, about 90 years.
Who carried out the excavations?
A Moroccan-American mission led by Charles L. Redman, from 1972 to 1981.
Why is the municipality called “Ksar El Majaz”?
Because “Qasr al-Majaz” is one of Ksar Sghir’s historical names: the castle of the crossing to al-Andalus.
🌊 Nearby
- Ksar Sghir Beach: the main beach, next to the site.
- Traditional fishing port: fresh fish and boats.
- Tanger Med Port: the Strait today.
- Dalia Beach: Blue Flag.
