Historic city of Salé - 50 franc
The historic city of Salé, situated on the right bank of the Bou Regreg river directly opposite the administrative capital of Rabat, experienced a notable phase of socioeconomic and urban transition during the mid-twentieth century under the French Protectorate. Long celebrated as an ancient bastion of Islamic culture and a fiercely independent maritime hub—most famously during the seventeenth century as the seat of the autonomous Republic of Salé run by famed Barbary corsairs—the city retained its deeply traditional character into the modern era. As the twin cities of Rabat and Salé became increasingly integrated into modern administrative frameworks, regional initiatives balanced structural expansion with a concerted effort to document and honor the city's rich legacy of naval independence, trade, and architectural scholarship.
Central to Salé's enduring historical identity was the preservation of its monumental medieval defense infrastructure, particularly the massive crenellated ramparts and fortified gates originally constructed during the Almohad and Marinid dynasties. These ancient mud-brick and stone fortifications, which had shielded the medina for centuries from foreign fleets and tribal incursions, became prominent symbols of Morocco's enduring military heritage during post-World War II cultural and tourism campaigns. Concurrently, the post-war era saw the Rabat-Salé area emerge as a critical node for transcontinental civilian, military, and commercial aviation, linking the ancient fortified landscapes of the Atlantic coast directly with the rapidly expanding international transit networks of the mid-century.
Central to Salé's enduring historical identity was the preservation of its monumental medieval defense infrastructure, particularly the massive crenellated ramparts and fortified gates originally constructed during the Almohad and Marinid dynasties. These ancient mud-brick and stone fortifications, which had shielded the medina for centuries from foreign fleets and tribal incursions, became prominent symbols of Morocco's enduring military heritage during post-World War II cultural and tourism campaigns. Concurrently, the post-war era saw the Rabat-Salé area emerge as a critical node for transcontinental civilian, military, and commercial aviation, linking the ancient fortified landscapes of the Atlantic coast directly with the rapidly expanding international transit networks of the mid-century.