On the southern coast of the Mediterranean Sea there are two Spanish towns that show off their rich history and are marked by the traces of the people who have lived there over the centuries: Ceuta and Melilla.
Separated from the peninsula by the sea, these coastal enclaves shine with their own light and delight the traveller with all they can offer. History, culture, architecture, beaches and charming places are combined to create a unique environment where you can discover the special characteristics of the only two autonomous towns in Spain and enjoy the astonishing reddish sunsets that can be seen from their Paradores.
Ceuta, the Mediterranean pearl
Land of Legends
Immersing yourself in the history of Ceuta means returning to a time when legends mingled with everyday life and heroes walked among the people. A privileged place since antiquity, Ceuta is said to have been the ancient island of Ogygia, which is mentioned in the Odyssey as the home of one of the nymphs who was the daughter of the Titan Atlas: Calypso. When Odysseus was shipwrecked trying to return home, the waves took him to the kingdom of Calypso, who rescued and sheltered him. For seven years, the hero who defeated Troy lived here, but the nostalgia for his home and his family drove him to set sail again and leave Ogygia. Calypso was so devastated that she fell into an eternal sleep and gave rise to what is known as “the dead woman”, a mount that can be seen from the small village of Benzú, to the west of the town. However, Odysseus was not the only one who have marked Ceuta with his legend. Hercules was also here on one of his labours: Mount Hacho, which crowns the town, is sometimes identified as one of the two pillars that he separated to join the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea together, forming the Strait of Gibraltar.
Called Septem Fratres by the Romans for its seven coastal hills, after the fall of the Empire it passed through Vandal and Byzantine rule before being conquered by the Visigoths. History and legend converge again, and it is said that the Count Julián, hurt by the outrage of King Rodrigo to his daughter, provided Musa with the ships to allow Tarik’s Muslim troops to cross the Strait of Gibraltar and invade the Iberian Peninsula.
A Crossroad of Cultures
A great variety of cultures have passed through the territory of Ceuta and have left their mark on the design and the nature of the town. It still has vestiges of the Muslim rule, such as the monumental Caliphal Gate that give access to the medina, the 13th century Arab baths and the layout of the Marinid streets and houses at Huerta Rufino site. But it also preserves the powerful real walls —to which the Parador of Ceuta is attached— which, with their navigable moat, are stony witnesses to two centuries of Portuguese rule over Ceuta.
A Modern Charm
In Ceuta, history and modernity merge to create a contemporary town that will leave no one indifferent. With more than twenty kilometres of coastline, it has beaches and coves where you can enjoy the Mediterranean sun. You can also take nature walks in places such as the San Amaro park, where you can discover more than 120 species of native plants. Also, we cannot forget the Mediterranean Maritime Park, a work of a Lanzarote artist, César Manrique, which forms an oasis in the heart of the town only ten minutes away from the Parador of Ceuta.
Melilla, Modernist Elegance
Located in a privileged place, the Parador de Melilla is between two ancient forts and offers a magnificent view of “Melilla la Vieja”, one of the largest fortresses of Spain.
The origins of Melilla date back to the 7th century BC, when Phoenicians settled in this place. In the archaeological museum you can discover the ancient remains that have survived to the present day and understand the rich past of this millenary town. However, it was not until the end of the 19th century that it took on the image we know today. The economic growth of Melilla allowed the construction of a Modernist expansion area which made it in the Spanish town with the most modernist buildings after Barcelona. There are hundreds of ornamented houses with vegetable details on their façades that transport us to another time: the chamber of commerce, the Melul building, the house of crystals or the central mosque are some of the most outstanding examples just ten minutes away from the Parador.
Travelling to Melilla is an unforgettable experience. Few places offer such an opportunity to enjoy the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea under the stone fortifications that can be seen from the Parador. Without any doubt, the sight of the sun setting over the town, when the sky is tinged with orange tones and the buildings are bathed in golden light, makes Melilla a dream destination.
