#251 European Territory on African Soil | 非洲大陆上的欧洲小城

#251 European Territory on African Soil | 非洲大陆上的欧洲小城

May 2019 · 3 min read · Ceuta

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After crossing the Strait of Gibraltar from the Spanish mainland, I reached the port of Ceuta. So was I in an African town already? Not really. Technically I was still in European Union.

Ceuta is not a town of any African country, but a Spanish autonomous city on the north coast of Africa. It's sharing a land border with M'diq-Fnideq Prefecture in Morocco. Together with another Spanish enclave Melilla on the northern shores of Morocco's Mediterranean coast, they form the EU's only land borders with Africa.

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坐轮渡从欧洲经直布罗陀海峡来到非洲后,这Ceuta是落脚的第一个小城。虽然脚踩在非洲大陆的土地上,这里却是西班牙的属地。

Ceuta和另一座西属小城Melilla嵌在摩洛哥以北的地中海岸,共同组成了欧盟和非洲的陆上边界。就像法国最北端和英国隔海相望的加莱港一样,这里也是非洲移民难民奔向新天地的重要通道。两地也都是高墙林立、戒备森严。

本打算直接往南走,跨越国界去摩洛哥,但下船后看到这个小城还挺迷人,正好天气也给力,晴空万里、碧蓝如洗,似乎都在召唤我的双脚,就决定先在这里逛逛再走。这些照片就是瞎逛时拍下的。

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It was a gorgeous sunny day. Blue sky and no clouds. The original plan was to go on to the south to cross the border, but the beautiful weather and cityscape attracted me to explore a bit here. So I strolled a couple of hours in this small town and snapped some shots. The beach was nice and quiet with only a few sunbathers. If I was not mistaken, there were much more sea urchins in the crystal clear water than humans . ;)

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Due to its strategic location, Ceuta had been an important naval base since Carthaginian and Roman times. Its early form of fortification since the 5th century was strengthened by the Portuguese in the 1540s.

Today, part of the Royal Walls including the ditch and bastions remain intact. After the restoration in recent years, they have been open to the public. I walked around this heritage site oozing with history where the past battle scenes seemed to be replaying.

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Ceuta was actually acquired from Portugal by Spain at the end of the Iberian Union in 1640 when the 2 countries had the same King, and it served as a free port till Spain joined the EU.

Later I saw a large number of Moroccans crossing the border from their country to shop and work here, and then return to Morocco in the evening. I didn't see anyone climbing the wired fence over the border, but there's news report about it and the crackdown of attempts to illegally emmigrate to Europe seeking for a better life.

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蔚蓝的天空
澄澈的海水
自由翱翔的鸟
欢快游弋的鱼

黄白相间的建筑群
生机盎然的仙人掌
战火纷飞的争夺史
年代久远的古城墙

如今看不见硝烟的边界处
高墙上爬满锋利的铁丝网

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All content by @itchyfeetdonica
图文 by Donica多


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Comments

From your photos and mostly look at the fort and the church it looks more Europe than Africa. Those beaches are very stunning

True! It's a Spanish city.

Love the clean and fresh water! :D
Great shots and post! :)

Thanks Gabriela! =)

annepink
@annepink
· May 2019

自然景物描写哒太赞👍

谢谢 :) @teamcn-shop

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Team · May 2019

Congratulations! Your high-quality travel content was selected by @travelfeed curator @smeralda and earned you a reward, in form of a 100% upvote and a resteem. Your work really stands out! Your article now has a chance to get featured under the appropriate daily topic on our TravelFeed blog.
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Thank you so much @smeralda and @travelfeed! Much appreciated. :)

I have heard that it's a beautiful city but never visited it even though I was many times in Morocco. How does the border look like? Are there soldiers too? I wonder how it works with the refugees flowing to Europe as when they cross this border they are technically in Europe already...

Another lovely post Donica with beautiful photos. I would love to go to the sea right now. I was just telling my husband the other day that I miss it so much. I have never enjoyed sea that much but lately I'm really 'craving' it :)

Have a lovely Wednesday!

Thank you Martina for another lovely comment! Nice new profile pic of you! Was it at a Dutch tulip field?
For the crossing-border issue, yes there is police patrolling. I happened to read some news articles earlier. If interested, feel free to check them out:
https://www.ft.com/content/d7a5e244-fd14-11e8-aebf-99e208d3e521
https://www.nybooks.com/daily/2019/03/20/rite-of-passage-moroccan-boys-reach-for-europe

Yes! :) It's a Tulip field in Flevoland. We went there during the Easter time and I thought it was time to show my face too :) I don't really like to show myself on social media but it's good to get out of the comfort zone from time to time..

Thank you! I will check it out as it's a very interesting topic..

joelsegovia
Joel
@joelsegovia
· May 2019

很漂亮,I like the photos. Bests regards

谢谢 Gracias! :)