The American Legation: the historic landmark of Morocco-US relations
- The centuries-old symbol of Moroccan-US friendship
- Mythical building with strategic location on Tangier soil
- Former diplomatic institution with a new mission
- American intellectuals and artists in love with Tangier's atmosphere
The American Legation in Tangier is today considered the only historical monument located outside the territory of the United States. It was donated in 1821 by Sultan Moulay Slimane.
The Legation celebrated its bicentennial in 2021; marking 200 years of the building's existence and the anniversary of the founding of the American Legation in Tangier. It has thus become the oldest diplomatic representation of the United States in the world and one of the mythical places of the city of the Strait.
The centuries-old symbol of Moroccan-US friendship
Morocco was the first country to officially recognise the independence of the United States in 1777. Donated by Sultan Moulay Slimane in 1821, the American Legation has become a vital and tangible symbol of more than 200 years of friendship between Morocco and the United States.
The Legation has served for long periods as the diplomatic and consular representation of the United States in Morocco; concretising the Morocco-United States Treaty of Friendship of 1786.
This diplomatic institution is today a strong symbol of the historic diplomatic relations between the United States and Morocco. For 140 years, it has played an inescapable role in consolidating these ties at the political, economic, commercial and diplomatic levels.
Moreover, the Legation has also served as a language school and training centre for the Peace Corps, a diplomatic centre of renown.
Mythical building with strategic location on Tangier soil
The American Legation is a public and institutional building which flourished when Tangier was an international zone, between 1923 and 1956, because of its strategic location and its mission as a centre for world diplomatic, commercial and military affairs.
The era of international Tangier in the 20th century is engraved in the walls of the old Medina, in the neighbourhoods, in the narrow streets and in the architecture, both Moorish and European.
The American Legation is located in the heart of the Kasbah, in one of the oldest districts of the city, "Hay Bnider". This neighbourhood, which is home to 17 synagogues, many mosques and churches, has a strong symbolism and is very close to the Street of America.
In this same street, you will find a labyrinth of small alleys, full of beautiful colours of the old houses where blue and white reigns mixed with the flowers and plants that adorn the walls.
The curious thing is that, at one time, this neighbourhood was one of the most luxurious places in the city, where renowned personalities such as artists, writers, actors and diplomats were to be found.
Former diplomatic institution with a new mission
The American Legation building was extended at the end of the 19th century, so a second building was connected to the first by a footbridge. The rooms of the latter overlook a central courtyard in the Arab-Andalusian style.
After Moroccan independence in 1956, the US diplomatic mission moved to Rabat. It was then that a group of American intellectuals and diplomats suggested creating this museum, the Talim, Tangier American Legation Museum, with the support of the Moroccan government.
The State Department and the Peace Corps occupied the building from 1961 to 1973 as a language school. In 1976, the American Legation became a museum and cultural centre for learning English.
The historical significance of the American Legation building in Tangier was recognised on the one hand by its listing on the National Register of Historic Places in January 1981. On the other hand, it was classified in December 1982 as a National Historic Monument of Morocco.
Renamed the American Legation of Tangier's Institute for Moroccan Studies, this structure houses:
- A museum with ancient and contemporary objects tracing the history of the links between the two countries. It is a space that makes the visitor feel carried away by the decoration of the rooms and by the nostalgia of the time when many American intellectuals and artists came to Tangier.
- A library full of books on the history of Morocco and the Maghreb, with more than 8,000 references, making it an attractive source for Moroccan and foreign readers and researchers alike.
- A cultural centre offering the local population a variety of programmes and activities.
- A room dedicated to the American writer and composer Paul Bowles, author of great novels inspired by his experiences in Morocco.
- Historical documents and a correspondence between Georges Washington and Moulay Abdellah.
- Paintings evoking Morocco over the last three centuries.
TALIM currently collaborates with a Moroccan NGO, the Al Madina Foundation, which carries out social activities for the disadvantaged population of the old medina neighbourhood, such as literacy training for young women and health education.
American intellectuals and artists in love with Tangier's atmosphere
The different charms of Tangier, its beauty, its light, its palaces, its history and its atmosphere on its beautiful terraces have captured the hearts of many American visitors, such as:
- Paul Bowles who came with his wife to spend five days on holiday and stayed for five decades.
- WWilliam Seward Burroughs, writer and artist.
- Truman Garcia Capote novelist, screenwriter, playwright and actor.
