Hello dear Hive community,
I hope you're doing very well! In this post I'm going to share with you my visit to the grotto of Hercules that I made last week during my trip to Tangier in northern Morocco!
At the main gate I found a poster with an introduction to the myth of Hercules :
Hercules, or Heracles in Greek tradition, is the son of Zeus, and Alcmene, a mortal woman. His birth, seen by Hera, Zeus’s wife, as a great betrayal, sparks the goddess’s jealousy, leading her to oppose our hero fiercely. From a young age, she attempts to kill him by sending two serpents into his cradle. But Hercules, endowed with extraordinary strength, strangles them with his own hands. As he grew older, Hercules continued to suffer the wrath of Hera, leading him to commit tragic deeds under her pernicious influence. This inspired him to commit an uncontrollable act of madness, unconsciously driving him to murder his wife Megara and their children. To atone for his major sin, he was condemned by the oracle’s prophecy to serve King Eurystheus, who imposed twelve seemingly impossible tasks on him. These twelve labours have become famous and symbolize Heracles’ strength, bravery, and perseverance.
As soon as I arrived at the Grotte d'Hercule, I was struck by the special atmosphere that envelops the place. Even before entering, I was captivated by the square outside. It offers a breathtaking view of the Atlantic Ocean, where the waves crash against the rocks with force. Tourists and visitors gather here, some to take photos, others simply to enjoy the sea breeze and the natural spectacle.
On my way to the entrance to the cave, I passed through a passageway decorated with drawings and posters recounting the twelve labours of Hercules. Each work seemed to tell a part of this fascinating legend, and I stopped several times to read the descriptions and admire the details. The walls were also adorned with motifs and frescoes that seemed to tell the story of the place, adding an artistic and historical touch to the experience.
Inside there are two sections, one natural and the other enlarged and excavated by man. I began my visit with the enlarged section of the cave. This part is accessed by a staircase that descends gently into the depths.
The subdued lighting, cool atmosphere and different types of birds give the impression of entering another world.
In this part of the cave, which has been shaped by man to extract stone, there is also a presentation of legendary and historical figures from Tangier, such as the famous Hercules, the explorer Ibn Battûta and the conqueror Tariq Ibn Ziyad...
Ibn-Battûta was something of a globetrotter before his time! Born in Tangiers in 1304, he spent almost 30 years travelling to the four corners of the world, long before planes and trains existed. Setting off on a simple pilgrimage to Mecca, he ended up exploring North Africa, the Middle East, Asia, India and even China. He met kings, crossed deserts, sailed rough seas and recounted it all in a fascinating book: ‘Rihla’ (The Journey). Today, his name is everywhere in Tangier: an airport, a museum, a football stadium... and he remains a real source of pride for the city!
The rock faces still bear the marks of human labour, and it's easy to imagine the craftsmen of yesteryear busy extracting these blocks of stone.
Then I climbed the stairs and headed for the natural section of the cave.
And there, it was a real spectacle. The opening in the shape of a map of Africa is undoubtedly the main attraction. Looking through this opening, I had a direct view of the Atlantic Ocean. The light entering through this ‘natural window’ gently illuminates the walls of the cave, creating magical reflections. Everyone here takes a moment to appreciate the beauty of this place.
The sound of the waves, the salty air and the breathtaking view transported me. I could understand why so many legends surround this place. It is said that Hercules himself rested here after his exploits, and at that moment I could almost feel his presence.
Just before leaving the cave, I took one last moment to explore every nook and cranny. There were so many fascinating details, as if each stone whispered a story.
A professional photographer was there and took my photo. He even printed it for me on the spot! A lovely memory that I'll keep forever.
If you're ever in Tangier, I highly recommend a visit to this cave. This place, with its mix of legends and natural wonders, is bound to leave a lasting impression. Thanks for reading and see you soon for the next post!
Photos taken by my own phone (Samsung Galaxy A04s).
