Bayt Dakira (House of Memory)

Bayt Dakira opened in 2020 inside a restored riad in the Essaouira mellah. The name means 'House of Memory.' It combines a synagogue, a museum of Jewish-Muslim coexistence, and a cultural centre. The project was backed by André Azoulay, senior adviser to King Mohammed VI and one of the most prominent Jewish Moroccans in public life.

Essaouira — historically called Mogador — had one of Morocco's most prosperous Jewish communities. In the 18th century, Sultan Mohammed III invited Jewish merchants to serve as his trade intermediaries with European powers. The community dominated the town's commerce for two centuries.

In the Essaouira mellah, well signposted. The museum is small — 30 minutes. The staff can explain the history of Jewish Essaouira with a depth you will not find in guidebooks. Combine with the nearby Chaim Pinto Synagogue and the Jewish cemetery.