Musuem of Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah Essaouira
Apr
2
Written by:
4/2/2011 12:06 PM
The ethnography Musuem of Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah
The ethnography Musuem of Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah is located at rue laalouj, originally constructed in the early 19th century as the town house of a pasha, and is now the only place in Essaouira to witness old Moroccan regional arts and crafts, the museum was also served as a town hall during the French protectorate.
Museum collections include traditional music instruments especially those used local Gnawa musicians (Gimbri or three stringed bass instrument, lutes, qraqab or heavy iron castanets). In addition, the museum displays woodwork, traditional crafts, artifacts, textiles, Berber carpets and rugs made in Essaouira region, clothing, Moroccan jewelry, old money, pottery and weapons of the region, as well as of some early maps, engravings and sketches of the town. The ethnographic collections are displayed on the upper floor.
The museum was named after the Sultan Mohammed Ben Abdellah (1710-1790), the founder of the city of Essaouira. Under his reign the city became the first Moroccan port to trade with other international neighboring countries (Spain, France, Denmark and Portugal).
The Musuem of Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah
Rue laalouj, (212) 5 24 47 53 00
Open from 8:30AM to 5:30PM