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History
& Culture
For centuries the city of Melilla has been an
outpost of Spain because of its strategic location on the peninsula
of Tres Forcas on Africa's Mediterranean coast. In ancient times
the city was occupied by Phoenicians and Carthaginians
before it was integrated into the Roman Empire in the first
century. When the Moors conquered Spain, Melilla became part
of the Caliphate of Córdoba and later reverted to the
kingdom of Fez. Melilla declined in the Middle Ages, becoming
a refuge for pirates, until it was conquered by the Catholic
Kings at the end of the fifteenth century, and it has remained
Spanish since then. Subsequent monarchs repopulated and fortified
the city, and in the eighteenth century Melilla was further
secured by numerous fortresses that still ring the city.
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Today Melilla is a culturally diverse city and duty
free port where languages mix and mingle. It is joined to
the Spanish mainland by ferry and air service and boasts a fine
mild Mediterranean climate similar to Spain's Costa del Sol.
A municipal marina also makes it a center for sports
fishing and other related activities, and an attractive
government parador in the Old Quarter that has exceptional views
of the city and its port is a fine place to relax when visiting
the city.
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Gastronomy
Melilla's gastronomy, based on the exceptional fish
and shellfish from nearby waters, is in essence Andalusian
but with interesting Moroccan overtones, and the city is filled
with tapas bars.
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Attractions
Melilla's most striking feature is the Old City or Citadel
-the original fifteenth century walled city of steep narrow
streets at the highest point of the city that has been declared
a historic-artistic monument. Entered by way of the Puerta
de Santiago graced by the coat of arms of Emperor Charles
V, the old quarter encloses three walled districts, separated
from one another by deep moats and joined by bridges.
Other sights include the Municipal Museum, housed in
the Renaissance Concepción
Church where the visitor can relive the history of the city.
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| For further information please visit Tourspain
pages on: Melilla |
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| Related Sites |
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| Melilla
(Spanish)
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