“The Straits of Gibraltar separate Ceuta from European Spain. Ceuta is an ancient city – it has been continuously inhabited since its founding by Carthage in the 5th century B.C. Over the millennia, Ceuta has been ruled by Carthage, Rome, the Moorish Kingdom of Granada, Portugal and, since 1580, Spain. From 1912 until 1959, the city was also the capital of Spanish Morocco, a colonial protectorate created when France and Spain divided that kingdom during the “Morocco Crisis” of 1912. Generalisimo Francisco Franco launched the Spanish Civil War from Ceuta in 1936. Today, Ceuta boasts an easy-going charm and a cosmopolitan mix of cultures. The city is also a gateway for Morocco proper and the dramatic landscape of the Rif Mountains.
In antiquity, the Straits of Gibraltar were referred to as “The Pillars of Hercules.” Ceuta faces the Rock of Gibraltar across the Straits, and some modern geographers insist the city’s Mount Hacho forms the African Pillar as counterpart to The Rock.” – Princess Patter
The Pacific Princess had some difficulty docking at Cueta due to high winds and fast current. After two tries we were told that all tours were canceled and that we would not be able to go ashore. Then the captain announced that we had to refuel in Cueta. So, we might have to anchor off shore while fuel was on boarded. (there was some mention of tendering into port but, after Zakinthos, no one was very keen on that idea.) Finally the captain decided to give it one more try. To our relief he succeeded and we were able to disembark in Ceuta.
We left the Spanish city of Cueta and crossed the boarder into Morocco, stopping in the Moroccan port of Tetouan. We started our tour in the city square with the whitewashed houses of the city climbing up the Rif Mountains on three sides of us.
From the square we walked along the wall of the old fortress city and the gate in to narrow streets of the old Moorish City. The streets were very narrow and lined with shops. It seemed as if every other shop was a barbershop. The City was originally built in 1286 and, after it was partially destroyed by earthquake, it was rebuilt in the late 15th Century.
After wandering through the alleyways we happened upon a square. Our guide told us that the building on the right was owned by the Moroccan king or president …
We were taken to a Moroccan restaurant for lunch. The food was excellent and there was entertainment!
After lunch we were taken to a rug shop. No sale …
Finally we returned to Cueta and the Ship.
As we sailed away from Cueta we could see the Rock of Gibraltar in the haze as we left the Mediterranean and entered the Atlantic …
