Safi Moroccan/Portugese fortress cannons

ward · 27th October 2007, 01:14 AM

I have visited this town a couple of times and thought others may be interested is seeing some pics of the fortress. Originally built by the Portugese in 1508 on the Moroccan coast and fell to the local population in 1541. It was later restored in the 1960's. My daughter and I were the only people in this fortress

ward · 27th October 2007, 01:19 AM

more pics

rand · 27th October 2007, 03:00 AM

Wow!!!

What a great fortress and those canons are incredible. Did not realize there size until the photo with your daughter that showed the scale of them. The cast bronze barrels with the Islamic signature were simply amazing.

Noticed there was one iron canon, would think that would be a later version. Also saw the red bronze disease in the closeup, just adds to the beauty of these guns....

Thanks for posting these,

rand

Berkley · 27th October 2007, 02:56 PM

I hate to be redundant - but, Wow! That is a wonderful place, with a fine collection of artillery that most of us will never have a chance to see in person. I appreciate your taking the time to share the pics with us.
Berk

ward · 27th October 2007, 03:46 PM

The many fortress along the coast are made of unadorned stone. The fortresses inland are huge stuckoed walled cities. If interested I can post some pics. You do not see cannons inland. In Essouria a much larger coastal city you see larger mainly european cannons

Battara · 27th October 2007, 08:48 PM

I love seeing the Arabic script on "European" looking cannons. Thank so much for sharing.

fernando · 27th October 2007, 11:01 PM

Hi Ward
Have you also been up north in Mazagan ( El Jadida ) ?
It was the last place that Portuguese had to abandon ( 1769 ). The citadel is impressive, its water cistern is famous.

ward · 27th October 2007, 11:30 PM

Yes I have. Nice place I generally spend more time in the south around Tefrout. but I have been all over Magrib except the Mediterranean cost and the algerian border. I am allergic to land mines.
Fernando do you go over to North Africa ? maybe we will meet up

fernando · 27th October 2007, 11:31 PM

Hi Battara

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

I love seeing the Arabic script on "European" looking cannons. Thank so much for sharing.

You mean "real" European cannons. I have searched for that name engraved in one of the pieces pictured by Ward. ( Coenraed ) Wegawaert was a Dutch cannon maker, and apparently a famous one. His name was found in pieces made in 1649, equipping the Portuguese galleon Sacramento wrecked in Brazil in 1668.
But tell me, do you like old cannons ? When you have the time, take a quick trip to the Portuguese Military Museum. There you will find one the greatest collections around. Also a real huge piece with an Arabic inscription. In fact, such inscription saved its life, as it was close to be melted for the casting of a monument to King Dom José, when suddenly the text was translated and it was decided to preserve such magnificent piece.
I hope Ward doesn't mind. Here are some pictures of the cannon yard, taken during my last visit there. One of the pieces is my wife

.

ward · 27th October 2007, 11:42 PM

I definatly do not mind excellent pics. I might have to take a look at those in person one day. Here is one of my wife on top of one the cannons in Mogadir

fernando · 27th October 2007, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ward

Fernando do you go over to North Africa ? maybe we will meet up

Long time i don't go there. I used to drive over during my hollidays, for very short periods. Crossing the car ferry in Algeciras, one hour to arrive in Ceuta. Then Tethuan, Tanger, Fez, Rabat and Casablanca ... never further. I know Mazagão by the books and chronicles. Maybe some day i go back there, and such time will be further south.

ward · 27th October 2007, 11:52 PM

You are missing all the fun. Stay in some of the Berber areas. French and Arabic only but a lot more laid back

fernando · 28th October 2007, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ward

I definatly do not mind excellent pics. I might have to take a look at those in person one day. Here is one of my wife on top of one the cannons in Mogadir

You mean Agadir?!
I have read that most of the cannons in that fort are Spanish, but one is left from the Portuguese.
I remember hearing about the earthquake, when i was a boy.

ward · 28th October 2007, 12:23 AM

Sorry modern name is Essouria. Agadir was leveled by a earthquake back a few years ago as you mentioned. Modern town now of zero interest. Nothing of historic interest remains there

fernando · 28th October 2007, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ward

Sorry modern name is Essouria. Agadir was leveled by a earthquake back a few years ago as you mentioned. Modern town now of zero interest. Nothing of historic interest remains there

Right, Essouria. I also mixed the places. The story of the one only Portuguese cannon is precisely where you took the pictures.

ward · 28th October 2007, 12:44 AM

I will take some closeups of cannons next time in Essouria. Here is a close of one of the cannons not a great photo

fernando · 28th October 2007, 10:09 AM

Spanish, no doubt

fernando · 29th October 2007, 12:25 AM

Here is the Portuguese cannon at Essouria.
I caught these pictures and i know of its existence, through a blog of a Biker that usually travels down there.

Dom · 29th October 2007, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

I love seeing the Arabic script on "European" looking cannons.

just for fun, here below the translation of Arabic script read on two canons
first, the pic of vertical canon
second, the horizontal pic

1- who gave order to manufacture Ibn El Walid Amir al-Mu'minin (أمير المؤمنينCommander of the Faithful or Leader of the Believers) ???? Amir al-Mu'minin

then a sign illegible

the Commander of the Faithful Hassan God helping him to be the conquerant
year 1042 (Gregorian 1633)

2- God is The Most Great (Allahu Akbar)
who gave order to manufacture Abdallah El Walid Amir al-Mu'minin (أمير المؤمنين Commander of the Faithful or Leader of the Believers) Ibn Zeid Amir al-Mu'minin

then a sign illegible

the Commander of the Faithful Hassan God helping him to be the conquerant
year 1044 (Gregorian 1635)

à +

Dom

fernando · 29th October 2007, 08:32 PM

That was great, Dom

الله أكبر

Allways a pleasure seeing somebody translating Arabic scripts.
For non Arabic speackers like me, this is not a writing system, but a puzzle.

Fernando

fernando · 29th October 2007, 09:55 PM

Hi Dom
I have sent you a private email with some pictures attached, but i ignore if you can open de said pictures.
Kindly tell about
Thanks
Fernando

ward · 29th October 2007, 11:19 PM

Shukran Dom. What takes you a few minutes to translate takes me a 1/2 to 1 hour. Now arabic caligraphy that is a puzzle meant to drive me insane

Dom · 29th October 2007, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fernando

Hi Dom
I have sent you a private email with some pictures attached, but i ignore if you can open de said pictures.
Kindly tell about
Thanks
Fernando

Hi Fernando
not received yet any pic's

I checked my profil and my email address is valid

any way here it is : domayeux@noos.fr

Rgds

à +

Dom

Battara · 29th October 2007, 11:42 PM

Dom, many many thanks for your wonderful translations!

Dom · 29th October 2007, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ward

Shukran Dom. What takes you a few minutes to translate takes me a 1/2 to 1 hour. Now arabic caligraphy that is a puzzle meant to drive me insane

Afuwane Ward

to be honest

no glory for me, all privileges are due to the qualities of my sweet spouse

as, Egyptian Lady she is the "Arabic Scribe"

I may speak, but absolutely ignorant for writing and reading unfortunately ... I'm just a Frenchie

à +

Dom

fernando · 30th October 2007, 12:04 AM

Hi Dom,
I have sent you new email trough this adress.
Thank you
Merci bien
Shukran

27th October 2007, 01:14 AM	#1
ward Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 637	Safi Moroccan/Portugese fortress cannons I have visited this town a couple of times and thought others may be interested is seeing some pics of the fortress. Originally built by the Portugese in 1508 on the Moroccan coast and fell to the local population in 1541. It was later restored in the 1960's. My daughter and I were the only people in this fortress Attached Images

27th October 2007, 01:19 AM	#2
ward Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 637	more pics Attached Images

27th October 2007, 03:00 AM	#3
rand Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 538	Wow!! Wow!!! What a great fortress and those canons are incredible. Did not realize there size until the photo with your daughter that showed the scale of them. The cast bronze barrels with the Islamic signature were simply amazing. Noticed there was one iron canon, would think that would be a later version. Also saw the red bronze disease in the closeup, just adds to the beauty of these guns.... Thanks for posting these, rand

27th October 2007, 11:42 PM	#10
ward Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 637	I definatly do not mind excellent pics. I might have to take a look at those in person one day. Here is one of my wife on top of one the cannons in Mogadir Attached Images

28th October 2007, 12:44 AM	#16
ward Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 637	I will take some closeups of cannons next time in Essouria. Here is a close of one of the cannons not a great photo Attached Images

27th October 2007, 02:56 PM	#4
Berkley Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Austin, Texas USA Posts: 257	I hate to be redundant - but, Wow! That is a wonderful place, with a fine collection of artillery that most of us will never have a chance to see in person. I appreciate your taking the time to share the pics with us. Berk

27th October 2007, 03:46 PM	#5
ward Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 637	The many fortress along the coast are made of unadorned stone. The fortresses inland are huge stuckoed walled cities. If interested I can post some pics. You do not see cannons inland. In Essouria a much larger coastal city you see larger mainly european cannons

27th October 2007, 08:48 PM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	I love seeing the Arabic script on "European" looking cannons. Thank so much for sharing.

27th October 2007, 11:01 PM	#7
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,637	Hi Ward Have you also been up north in Mazagan ( El Jadida ) ? It was the last place that Portuguese had to abandon ( 1769 ). The citadel is impressive, its water cistern is famous.

27th October 2007, 11:30 PM	#8
ward Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 637	Yes I have. Nice place I generally spend more time in the south around Tefrout. but I have been all over Magrib except the Mediterranean cost and the algerian border. I am allergic to land mines. Fernando do you go over to North Africa ? maybe we will meet up

27th October 2007, 11:52 PM	#12
ward Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 637	You are missing all the fun. Stay in some of the Berber areas. French and Arabic only but a lot more laid back

28th October 2007, 12:23 AM	#14
ward Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 637	Sorry modern name is Essouria. Agadir was leveled by a earthquake back a few years ago as you mentioned. Modern town now of zero interest. Nothing of historic interest remains there

28th October 2007, 10:09 AM	#17
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,637	Spanish, no doubt

29th October 2007, 12:25 AM	#18
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,637	Here is the Portuguese cannon at Essouria. I caught these pictures and i know of its existence, through a blog of a Biker that usually travels down there. Attached Images

29th October 2007, 08:32 PM	#20
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,637	That was great, Dom الله أكبر Allways a pleasure seeing somebody translating Arabic scripts. For non Arabic speackers like me, this is not a writing system, but a puzzle. Fernando

29th October 2007, 09:55 PM	#21
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,637	Hi Dom I have sent you a private email with some pictures attached, but i ignore if you can open de said pictures. Kindly tell about Thanks Fernando

29th October 2007, 11:19 PM	#22
ward Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 637	Shukran Dom. What takes you a few minutes to translate takes me a 1/2 to 1 hour. Now arabic caligraphy that is a puzzle meant to drive me insane

29th October 2007, 11:42 PM	#24
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	Dom, many many thanks for your wonderful translations!

30th October 2007, 12:04 AM	#26
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,637	Hi Dom, I have sent you new email trough this adress. Thank you Merci bien Shukran

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