Melilla

Introduction for Melilla

Melilla is a Spanish enclave on the shore of the African side of the Mediterranean. It is about 12 square kilometers and is surrounded by Morocco. This is where I first entered Morocco back in 1984. It really isn’t until you get very close to the center, around Plaza Espana, that Melilla feels thoroughly Spanish. As you get closer to the Moroccan border it starts to feel less so. The border crossing seems to always be busy and walking across is the only practical option. Spain has since put considerable energy and investment in Melilla so the town barely resembles the place I visited nearly 25 years ago. Photos of Mt. Gourougou (Morocco) can be found on my darbalmira.com website.