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Morocco is full of natural monuments, some unknown, others with a very rich history. Yabiladi offers you a series of articles to discover these places. First monument to discover today: The caves of Hercules located 15 kilometers from Tangier.
The caves were restored in June 2015 with the aim of attracting more tourists and preserving the richness of this colorful place, with breathtaking architecture. The place offers breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Strait of Gibraltar.
The monument near the city of Detroit was rehabilitated in October 2015, after 18 months of work, for a total amount of ten million dirhams. The rehabilitation involved the walls of the cave, the development of outdoor spaces, the construction of commercial premises, cafes and restaurants, and the modernization of the public lighting network.
The place was classified as historical heritage in 1950, it had been discovered in 1906. The pride of the people of Tangier is a natural cave dug by the waves of the Atlantic. It is located south of Cape Spartel, another reference point of the city of Detroit. Several caves cohabit, named Caves of Achakar, close to each other.
At first glance, the place may seem hostile, but do not hesitate to venture inside. The slot offers a view of the ocean which brings magic to this tourist hotspot, a pan of light conducive to souvenir photos. Many craft shops offer trinkets at the exit of the cave to take a piece of the story of Hercules with you.
A popular belief says that the cave was created by an ancient civilization to protect themselves from the dangers of the Mediterranean Sea.
The myth of Hercules
Several myths and legends surround the origin of this place. The one who comes back regularly is that of Hercules, the son of Zeus in Greek mythology, who would have lived one of his adventures in Morocco, more precisely in Tangier.
The kingdom would have been, according to legend, the place where the gardens of the Hesperides were located. Hercules was to go there to accomplish the 11th of his labors. The three daughters of the Titan Atlas guarded the trees with golden apples, with a hundred-headed dragon to prevent anyone from approaching the precious fruits, which had magical virtues of immortality.
The son of Zeus had precisely the aim of seizing these magic fruits. He slew the dragon and succeeded in obtaining the objects of his desire.
Completely exhausted after the journey, the hero would have taken the time to rest in the caves. The traces of his passage have left his mark, since footprints as well as his bowl would remain until today.