Museum of the American Legation in Tangier, Morocco

Hello everyone!

In my previous post, I told you about my long walk through the narrow streets of Tangier's medina. At one point, I felt the need to take a little break to regain my strength. After walking around for a while, admiring the bustle of the souks and taking in the unique atmosphere of the old town and Tangier's historic walls, I sat down for a few moments on a bench facing the sea to rest. It has to be said that wandering around the medina is a fascinating experience, but also a little tiring with all the alleyways and stairs going up and down.

Once I'd rested up, I decided to continue my walk by heading for a historic place that my cousin, who lives in Tangier, had recommended I visit: The American Legation Museum. To get there, I took a charming little alleyway. It's accessible via the Porte de l'Amérique! Walking down this alley, I appreciated the calm and beauty of the place. The white walls, colourful wooden doors and climbing plants gave it an extraordinary air.

Finally, I arrived in front of the Museum of the American Legation in Tangier. This historic building, built in the early 19th century, tells the story of diplomatic relations between Morocco and the United States. On entering, I discovered a fascinating collection of objects, documents, furniture and memorabilia from different eras, bearing witness to this connection between the two countries.

The building also symbolises a key moment in history: Morocco was the first country to recognise the independence of the United States in 1777! The building then served as an American legation, making it the United States' first diplomatic property abroad. Today, it has been converted into a museum, but retains all its historical and cultural significance.

As I explored the various rooms in the museum, I discovered the offices and bedrooms that were once used by American diplomats. These rooms are still in their period style, with solid wood furniture, desks covered in old documents and leather armchairs that no doubt hosted important discussions.

Below, I'll show you in detail my tour of this magnificent museum through the photos I took with my mobile phone, as well as a video I filmed before leaving the museum!

I just love this little balcony overlooking an alleyway outside!

In addition to its historical role, it is also a dynamic cultural venue. The museum regularly hosts art exhibitions featuring Moroccan and international artists. This makes it a living space where history and culture meet, offering visitors an experience that is both educational and artistic.

What I also really liked was the inner courtyard with a beautiful fountain at its centre.

As I lingered there for a moment, I had an unexpected encounter: two peaceful tortoises who seemed to appreciate the tranquillity of the place as much as I did.

Before continuing my discovery of the museum, I stood there for a few minutes, just looking at these two magnificent tortoises. I was completely absorbed by their slowness, the way they moved, as if time no longer mattered to them ...

One of the most captivating sections of the museum is that devoted to the Second World War. Few people know this, but Morocco played a strategic role during this period, particularly in its cooperation with the United States. Tangier, because of its geographical position, was a crucial centre for trade and espionage. In this part of the museum, I was able to see historical documents, maps and military objects that bear witness to this period. There is even a room dedicated to secret operations in North Africa. It explains how Morocco helped the Allies by providing valuable information and serving as a strategic crossing point. This collaboration strengthened the ties between Morocco and America.

Before leaving the museum, I went back one last time to film a short video. This visit transported me to a distant era, while making me aware of the importance of the historical links between Morocco and the United States.

If you're passing through Tangier and you're a fan of history, I highly recommend a visit to this unique museum, where each room tells a fascinating story.

Thank you and see you soon!