Today, we are going to tell you about the Portuguese Prison, located in the in the area of Rissani at Morocco. It is called “The Portuguese Prison”, unknown by many and visited by others, but without really knowing the reason for this name. And there are really many and varied arguments and stories about it, but none confirmed or confirmed.
documented one hundred percent as to give it as true and/or unique, so it is also a mysterious aspect that attracts the visitor and maintains some debate on the historical aspect.
Place of obligatory stop for the motorcycle routes in Morocco, but also for any visitorbut also for any visitor wishing to contemplate this monument in the middle of the desert. desert.
History and Legends
We must say that Gara MedouarThe “Cueva de la Cueva”, which is its real name, is a natural geological element, with that characteristic U-shaped almost circular shape that rises in different levels. Because of this peculiar morphology, it has been modified by man, or rather by adding constructions according to the needs of different times. It is said that it was used for the containment of rainwater, with the help of dams; also as a shelter and protection for travelers in times of sandstorms; as a resting place in nomadic journeys; as a place of confinement for slaves who worked in the construction itself; as a prison for prisoners, and it has even been said that it was a volcano.
On the upper plateau there are the scarce remains of several buildings from around the 11th century that are said to have had a military use, as a shelter and for the protection and defense of the city of Sijilmasanear Rissani (about 15 kms from the Portuguese Prison) where a great wealth proliferated due to the minting of coins and to be a passage of the commercial routes of the south.
Probably the reason why it is known today as the Portuguese Prison Portuguese Prison is because in the 19th century it was the Portuguese who built the wall that acts as a gateway to this imposing rock formation, but it was almost certainly not a prison, at least not in the strict sense of the word.
Location
As for its location on the map, it is located in the central-eastern part of the country, very close to the border with Algeria and almost bordering with Merzouga.
One of the many route options, and taking advantage of the situation almost in line, is to come from the coast from Essauira (1) – Marrakech (2) – Ouarzazate (3) – Merzouga (4) – Portuguese Prison (Gara Medouar), either round trip, to continue, or to include it in a different itinerary.
The Portuguese Prison and our travels.
In one of our organized motorcycle tours in Morocco at Zero Route Toursyou can visit this unique location, take a look at the different destinations that we have scheduled for our calendarwhich you can find here:
https://www.rutacerotours.com/viajes-en-moto-organizados-a-marruecos/