Publications
The Kasbah of Essaouira. A fortified naval base on the Atlantic coast of Morocco (18th century)
Essaouira, originally known as Amogdoul or Mogdoul, emerged as a strategically significant fortified naval base on Morocco's Atlantic coast during the 18th century. Its transformation from a Phoenician and Roman dye production site to a planned port city under Alawite Sultan Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah in 1765 reflects a blend of Arab-Moroccan Cherifian and European (Vauban, Manueline) military architectural styles. Designed by French engineer Nicolas Théodore Cornut, Essaouira's quadrilateral layout and fortified structures—including walls with bastions, gates, a kasbah, and two cannon batteries—served as both a commercial hub linking Morocco to Europe and a strategic stronghold to suppress the Souss revolt. This study highlights Essaouira's dual role in international trade and military defense during the 18th–19th centuries.
Dimensões da castelologia portuguesa no Norte de África entre Quatrocentos e meados de Quinhentos
Portuguese castles in North Africa, built between the 15th and mid-16th centuries, served as key tools for territorial appropriation. This study reveals that, except for Azamor, all Portuguese settlements on Muslim medinas involved at least one independent castle. The research analyzes these structures as integral parts of new urban landscapes or autonomous entities, examining their evolution across three phases: medieval, early modernization, and Manueline maturity. By revisiting sites like Alcácer Ceguer, Arzila, Tânger, Safim, and Mogador (Essaouira), the study highlights how these castles adapted to emerging pyrotechnic challenges, marking a turning point in North African fortification history by mid-16th century. The approach combines historical analysis with architectural investigation, focusing on visible vestiges and their significance.
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