Ensanche District | Tetouan

The Ensanche district of Tétouan, Morocco, is a historically significant urban area that was developed during the Spanish Protectorate in Northern Morocco (1912–1956). It stands as a striking example of early 20th-century colonial urban planning, modeled after contemporary Spanish cities, and represents the contrast and coexistence between European and traditional Moroccan urban design.

Historical Background

When Spain took control of northern Morocco under the protectorate agreement, Tétouan was designated as the capital of the Spanish zone. While the city already had a historic medina (an old Islamic city core with narrow streets and traditional Moroccan architecture), Spanish administrators and planners aimed to create a new, modern district for colonial administration, military quarters, commerce, and European residents.

This new district, called the Ensanche, meaning “expansion” in Spanish, was deliberately laid out outside the walls of the medina, reflecting European ideas of hygiene, order, and modernization.

Urban Design and Architecture

The Ensanche was designed by Spanish architects and urban planners, using principles inspired by cities like Madrid and Barcelona, particularly the Eixample (Ensanche) of Barcelona. It featured:

Straight, wide avenues intersecting at right angles.

Large open plazas, such as the prominent Plaza de España (now Plaza Moulay El Mehdi), which became the civic and religious center of the new district.

Symmetrical blocks and rational zoning—separating administrative, residential, military, and religious functions.

Public buildings in historicist or eclectic Spanish styles, including Neo-Mudéjar, Neo-Classical, and Art Deco.

Catholic churches, like the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de las Victorias, often strategically placed at key intersections or plazas.

The architecture blends European techniques with Moorish decorative elements, such as horseshoe arches, tiled façades, and geometric brickwork, showing a colonial attempt to reflect local culture through a Spanish lens.

Social and Cultural Role

The Ensanche served as the primary residential and administrative area for the Spanish population. It included:

Government offices

Schools

Hospitals

Cafés, cinemas, and clubs

Residences for civil servants, military officers, and missionaries

In contrast to the dense and organic medina, the Ensanche symbolized modernity, colonial authority, and European values. It was both a practical extension of the city and a visual declaration of power.

Despite this contrast, over time the two districts became increasingly interconnected, especially after Moroccan independence.

After Independence (Post-1956)

When Morocco regained full sovereignty in 1956, many Spaniards left, but the Ensanche did not disappear or fall into disuse. Instead, it was integrated into the modern Moroccan city, and its buildings have continued to serve new functions. Today, it is:

A vibrant neighborhood inhabited by Moroccans.

An area with historical landmarks, still showcasing early 20th-century Spanish architecture.

Home to active religious institutions, such as the Catholic church, which still holds services.

Cultural and Heritage Value Today

The Ensanche of Tétouan is unique in Morocco. Unlike other cities where colonial architecture has often been lost or modified, Tétouan’s Ensanche remains well-preserved and serves as a living museum of Spanish urbanism and architecture in North Africa.

In 1997, UNESCO recognized the entire medina of Tétouan as a World Heritage Site, and although the Ensanche was not part of the official inscription, many heritage advocates consider it equally important for understanding the city’s layered identity.

In summary, the Ensanche district of Tétouan is not just a colonial-era extension; it’s a testament to cross-cultural exchange, architectural ambition, and urban planning under imperial rule. It tells the story of a city shaped by two worlds—Islamic and European—merged by history, politics, and design.