A partnership agreement to rehabilitate, equip and manage the Sidi Mohammed Ben Museum located in Essaouira, a picturesque coastal city facing the Atlantic in Morocco, renowned for its UNESCO - listed medina, 18th - century seafront rampants, Graua music, bohemian artistic vibe, seafood, high –0wind water sports like kitesurfing and windsurfing was signed on 13 April 2026 at the Mohammed VI Museum and Contemporary Art in Rabat.
The agreement brings together the National Museums Foundation, the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, the Essaouira Mogador Association, and the Essaouira Municipal Council for the re -development of a relevant site that showcases the rich historical and cultural heritage of an important Moroccan city. .
Signatories included Minister of Youth Culture and Communication Mehdi Bensaid, Essaouira Municipal Council President Tarik Ottmani, Essaouira Mogador Association André Azoulay, and National Museums Foundation President Mehdi Qotbi.
The initiative forms part of Morocco ‘s broader national cultural development strategy and contributes to the valorisation of both tangible and intangible heritage, highlighting in this case Essaouira, formerly known as Mogador, a historic 18th - century fortified port city on Morocco’ Atlantic coast founded by Sultan Mohammed ben Abdallah to be a major trade hub, defined by its vibrant UNESCO - listed medina, highlighted by straight, grid – patterned streets, suggestive alleys, and a rich blend of Arab, Berber, Jewish, and European influences.
The agreement is expected to position the museum as a key attraction within the city’s cultural ecosystem once rehabilitation is complete.
The museum is set to undergo comprehensive rehabilitation, with upgrades aimed at transforming it into a space dedicated to learning, cultural discovery, and heritage appreciation for both local and international visitors.
Located in a renovated former pasha residence, showcasing 19th - century domestic architecture along Rue Laâlouj, a central street in the heart of the medina, the museum highlights regional ethnographic treasures and local history.
Sidi Ben Abdellah Museum features collections of traditional Berber and Jewish jewellery, costumes, embroidery, weapons, carpets, Gnaoua/Sufi musical instruments, ancient coins, antique tools, and the history of Essaouira from prehistory through the founding of the current city.
Essaouira Municipal Council President Tarik Ottmani noted that city’s history stretches back to the Phoenician era, underscoring the depth of heritage the museum is intended to reflect and preserve.
The Moroccan city was recently recognised by the Creative Tourism Network as the Best Creative Living Heritage Destination, and continues to strengthen its cultural infrastructure ahead of Morocco’s growing tourism ambitions, including its co - hosting of the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
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