Cathedrale Portugaise, Safi

Opposite the entrance to the Great Mosque on Rue du Souq, one can find clearly signed ruined cathedral, that was built in 1519 in the Manueline (Portuguese late Gothic) style. It was the first Portuguese cathedral outside Portugal, and it presents the first gothic structure built in Africa. Construction was never completed, and most of the structure was demolished after the departure of the Portuguese King Manuel in 1541. All that remains are parts of the choir and a side chapel. Huge part of the cathedral is behind the wall and nothing left of it, houses of the old city was build on the place of the main cathedral hall. We visited this interesting piece of architecture specially because many of its still recognizable elements. The most interesting element is probably the vaulting, whose ribs support nine bosses with designs that tell part of the story of the visit of the Portuguese to the city. On the central boss is the shield of King Manuel, others are decorated with the Cross of the Order of Christ, the armillary sphere, another with the episcopal coat of arms of Safi’s bishop João Subtil, and another with the keys of Saint Peter. Three are decorated with naturalistic leaves and one of which the original design has disappeared. Place is very small but very interesting piece of history to visit in Safi.

The chapel is all that remains of the Portuguese cathedral. It was the first Gothic building in Africa. Built on an old Almohad mosque, of which only the minaret remained and was transformed into a bell tower. It was the master Joao Louis who took charge of its realization. The cathedral was destroyed so as not to fall into the hands of the Muslims, but the chapel remained as well as certain parts, one of which was transformed into a Hammam.