The Agadir Fortress is the city's most famous historical landmark. The fortress is located on a high hill, so it can be seen even when entering the city. Very often the fortress is also called "Agadir on the hill".
From the ancient fortress of Kasbah, which was built back in 1572 (XVI century) by order of the ruler of Moulay Abdallah el Ghalib, formed the city quarter. Before that, the Kasbah was a fortress with very small and narrow inner streets.
In 1960, Agadir was hit by a strong earthquake (5.8 on the Richter scale) and in just 15 seconds the city was reduced to rubble. About 15,000 people out of a population of 40,000 died at the time. The fortress itself suffered great damage from the earthquake. Only one long wall, which surrounds the territory of the fortress of Agadir, has survived from the powerful construction, impressive with its amazing fortifications. The fortress gates have also survived, on which you can see a preserved inscription that translates from Arabic as "Fear Allah and honour the king". Being inside these powerful walls of the fortress, one can truly feel the long forgotten past.
In the evening, the wall and the fortress gates are illuminated with skilful decorative lighting of astonishing beauty. Another inscription located on the hillside is decorated with original illumination. Translated from Arabic, it means: "Allah, Country, King."
From the observation deck, which is located on the fortress wall, offers a wonderful panorama of the city of Agadir and its surroundings. From here you can see the surrounding countryside, including the beautiful Sou Valley, the picturesque Antiatlas Mountains and the beach of the Bay of Agadir. The pointed mountain peaks of the Atlas Mountains can be seen to the north.
