Portuguese Cistern of El Jadid ( Mazagan )
Lit by a single shaft of sunlight from a circular shaft in the roof , this is an amazingly beautiful building, cool in the African heat. The arches and pillars are wonderful. A real pleasure to visit and all for the platry sum of 10 Dirham ( €1 )
Built in 1514, this former warehouse was converted into a cistern in the 16th century. The underground chamber, measuring 34 meters by 34 meters, was constructed with five rows of five stone pillars. The cistern is famous especially for the thin layer of water that covers the floor, and which creates fine and exciting reflections from the little light there is and the spartan shapes of the columns and the roof. Its visual qualities are such that several movies have been filmed within the cavernous space, of which Orson Welles' Othello is the best known internationally.
Portuguese Cistern of El Jadid ( Mazagan )
Lit by a single shaft of sunlight from a circular shaft in the roof , this is an amazingly beautiful building, cool in the African heat. The arches and pillars are wonderful. A real pleasure to visit and all for the platry sum of 10 Dirham ( €1 )
Built in 1514, this former warehouse was converted into a cistern in the 16th century. The underground chamber, measuring 34 meters by 34 meters, was constructed with five rows of five stone pillars. The cistern is famous especially for the thin layer of water that covers the floor, and which creates fine and exciting reflections from the little light there is and the spartan shapes of the columns and the roof. Its visual qualities are such that several movies have been filmed within the cavernous space, of which Orson Welles' Othello is the best known internationally.