Souk al-Ghazl in Salé transforms from slave market to cultural hub

The historic square in Salé, once a 17th‑century slave market, has become a venue for arts and community events after a major renovation.

• On World Music Day, the square hosted a concert organized by the Misstra association for socio‑cultural arts.
• Mustafa al‑Na'anai, a Salé heritage researcher, stated that a 1808 sultanic decree ended the square’s use as a slave market.
• Between 2013 and 2023, the square underwent a two‑phase renovation funded by 900 million dirhams (about $91 million).
• The square now hosts cultural festivals including the Maqamat Festival and the Atafal al‑Salam Festival.