The Siege of Larache: Morocco's Last Stand Against Spain

In 1610, the Saadian sultan Moulay Zidan found himself caught between Spanish invaders and his own rebellious court. This episode explores the dramatic siege of Larache, a strategic port on Morocco's Atlantic coast that became a flashpoint for imperial rivalry. We follow the machinations of the Spanish commander Luis Fajardo, the desperate diplomacy of the Saadian wazir al-Mamun, and the brutal final assault that saw the city fall. Along the way, we touch on the broader context of Morocco's struggle to maintain independence as European powers carved up North Africa, the role of the Moroccan corsairs who raided Spanish shipping, and the fragile alliances that sometimes pitted Muslim rulers against their Christian counterparts. The episode also examines the aftermath: how the loss of Larache weakened the Saadians and paved the way for the rise of the Alaouite dynasty. A story of cannons, treaties, and betrayal, set against the backdrop of the sun-scorched Moroccan coast. #Larache #SiegeOfLarache #MoulayZidan #Saadian #Morocco #Spain #LuisFajardo #al-Mamun #MoroccanCorsairs #AtlanticCoast #Alaouite #1610 #NorthAfrica #History #FexingoHistory #Podcast #MoroccanHistory #ImperialRivalry Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo