Ceuta

A city with a history that reaches back over two thousand years yet origins that remain in legend. Mythology tells us that one of the columns of Hercules was located here and that over there Ulysses passed by on his return to Ítaca and that Monte Hacho is in reality straight out of the pages of the Odyssey by Homer.

What is sure is that there is archaeological evidence here of many civilizations including Romans, Vandals, Visigoths, Byzantines, Berbers, Mauritanians, Arabs, Portuguese and Spanish amongst others. The founding of Ceuta goes back to the time when Rome established it as one of the most important African outposts of the Roman Empire.

Ceuta played an important role during Arabic expansion into the Iberian Peninsula being, in 711, the port of entry for the troops that conquered Tarifa. Many centuries passed during which time the city formed part of the dynastic empires of the almorávides and the almohades.

HISTORIC LINKS

On 21 August of 1415, Arabic reign in Ceuta was terminated with the arrival of Portuguese troops who built new defences and medieval institutions.

In 1580 Ceuta was integrated into the Spanish Crown by Philip II, who chose to formalise the condition after Portugal revolted against Spanish authority. This procedure was ratified in the Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1668 and signed by both nations. Historic links with Portugal are evident as the actual coat of arms of the city clearly shows that the city was Portuguese.

With the passage of time there have been several attempts to take her over mainly because of her strategic and traditional importance as a military strongpoint.

Finally, with the passing of the ruinous dictatorship, Ceuta was converted into an Autonomous City, equipped with its own organs of legislation and with all the rights the rest of the Spanish Autonomous Communities.

MUSEUMS

CEUTA CITY MUSEUM
Constructed in 1900 and situated in the heart of the city, this museum houses the Institute of Ceuti Studies, has two temporary exhibition rooms and five permanent ones.

MUSEUM OF REVELLÍN DE SAN IGNACIO
This museum is located in an XVIII century fortification in the Plaza de Armas within the Monumental Centre of the Royal Walls.

MILITARY MUSEUM OF DESNARIGADO CASTLE
A fortress which dates from the X to the XVI centuries, the actual building is of neo-medieval style (XIX century). It contains a collection of objects that are related to the military history of Ceuta.

MILITARY MUSEUM OF THE LEGION
This museum contains a collection of objects relating to the history of the third Legion.

REGULAR MILITARY MUSEUM
Another military museum which contains a collection of objects related to the Army Regular Corps.

PORT AUTHORITY MUSEUM
A museum containing many objects that relate to the history of the port of Ceuta.

CATHEDRAL MUSEUM
The cathedral houses a small museum that displays an interesting collection of items used in religious ceremonies dating from the XVI through to the XIX centuries.

TARDORROMANA BASILICA MUSEUM
Around the Tardorromana Basilea, which is today declared an asset of significant cultural interest and which dates from the IV century there is a modern museum which houses an exhibition based on the concept of the Hall of Time.

NEO-MEDIEVAL FORTRESS

The mountainous zone that separates the Ceuta peninsula from Morocco acts as the backdrop for several fortresses that were constructed in the second half of the XIX century when, once the war with Morocco terminated resulting in the signing of the treaty of Wad Ras, it was considered prudent to assure frontier security by constructing a series of vigilance towers that could warn of possible acts of aggression that might come from outside the border.

As a result several small fortresses were built. These include Pinies, Francisco de Asis, Isabel II (underneath which is located an incomparable viewing platform which surveys the landscape out to the Atlantic Ocean and towards the Iberian Peninsula), Anyera and Aranguren, as well as the Alcázar del Serrallo (used by the Sultan Mulay Ismail during the siege of Ceuta between 1694 and 1727), the Tower of Mendizábal and the fortress of Príncipe Alfonso.

MERINIDAS WALLS

These walls were constructed by the Merinidas Sultans between 1307 and 1310. A large space, over the years it has been used as a citadel, hostel and garrison for troops who were obliged to spend the night outside the medieval city walls.

The walls represent one of the most important monumental historic legacies of Ceuta. Of almost 1,500 metres that were originally constructed only the western flank remains. This consists of some 500 metres which, amongst other features, preserves twin towers that mark the so-called Fez Gate.

ARABIC BATHS

These remains, dating from the XIII century, represent the floor of an atypical Arabic Baths. In zigzag form with four main rooms, the whole construction presents a rectangular form whose sides are orientated North-South.

Islam attributes this type of installation with hygienic virtues as well as with possible religious significance as it was considered to be the best way to cleanse the body before commencing prayer in a state of total purity.

ROYAL WALLS

The monumental centre of the Royal Walls, which is situated in the narrowest part of the isthmus, and which unites Ceuta with the African continent, is one of the principal historical and cultural landmarks of Ceuta.

The walls, built between the XVI and XVIII centuries, represent one of the most impressive and beautifully constructed defensive positions of the city. The fortified enclave is sectioned in the middle by a navigable moat which unites the waters of the Atlantic Ocean with the Mediterranean Sea.

The oldest section, located next to Africa Square, was built by the Portuguese authorities who governed the city until the last third of the XVI century. Later, between the XVII and XVIII centuries, the Spanish Crown built on and increased the fortresses defensive capabilities. Today, the Royal Walls provide defence for the City Museum.

Every day, in the monumental zone next to the Patio de Armas there is a three dimensional audiovisual spectacle which takes the viewer on a journey through the history of Ceuta and allows her to become familiar with the many civilisations that left their footprints on her shores.

More information: http://www.ceuta.es/