American Legation, Tangier

Tangier, Morocco

Exterior only

Visible from the street; the inside is private.

Opening hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-17:00, Sa-Su 10:00-15:00
Admission: Ticketed
Phone: +212 539 93 53 17

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Located in the medina of Tangier, Morocco, the American Legation is a Moorish-style building that holds unique distinction as the first American public property abroad and the only U.S. National Historic Landmark situated in a foreign country. Established on May 17, 1821, following Morocco's recognition of American independence in 1777—making it the first nation to do so—the legation was gifted by the sultan to serve as the United States' diplomatic post for the next 140 years. After Morocco's capital relocated to Rabat in 1956, the building fell into disrepair until 1976, when former diplomats founded the Tangier American Legation Museum Society to restore it. Now operating as the Tangier American Legation Institute for Moroccan Studies, it functions as a cultural center, museum, and research library focused on Arabic language studies. The site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1982, recognized as a symbol of enduring diplomatic and cultural ties between the United States and Morocco.

Movement

Moorish architecture

Type: building of public administration
Heritage: National Register of Historic Places listed place, National Historic Landmark
Place: Tangier, Morocco

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Location

35.78386, -5.81088