Built in 1685 to commemorate the return of Morocco to home rule, the Grand Mosque is one of the most recognizable buildings in Tangier. Built on the site of a former Roman temple, the mosque is a highly ornate and beautiful structure known for its green, orange and white tile mosaics and the gleaming white stucco that covers the walls. Today the mosque houses a museum dedicated to Moroccan arts and historical manuscripts.
The Grand Socco was once the traditional market of Tangier, but has since become a hub of transportation in the city. Officially called the Place du Grand 9 Avril 1947 in commemoration of the famous speech made on the site by Muhammed V in favor of Moroccan independence, the Socco is now an important historical monument for the people of Morocco. The old gates into the Medina are located at the edge of the Grand Socco and are a popular subject for photographers.
The Anglican Church of St. Andrew is one of the most striking examples of colonial religious architecture in the city. The stark, whitewashed walls and ornately carved edifice are a seamless blend of English and Moorish architecture. Built in 1880 after Hassan I donated land to the British community for purposes of building a church, St. Andrew's quickly became so popular that a new, larger church had to be constructed on the site. The most recognizable feature of St. Andrew's is the bell tower, which strongly resembles a minaret, and is covered in intricately carved plasterwork.
The 17th century palace Dar el Makhzen was once the home of visiting Sultans. Built by Moulay Ismail, the Dar el Makhzen stands in the Kasbah and is the highest point in the city, overlooking the Straits of Gibraltar and the Medina. The palace is built in typical Moorish fashion, with two main buildings surrounding inner courtyards decorated with mosaic arabesques and fountains. Some of the columns used in the construction of the Dar el Makhzen date back to a Roman villa that once stood on the site.
