Lalla Aïcha El Bahria Beach, located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Oued Oum Rabii River, is a place of pilgrimage and natural beauty. This site attracts many visitors thanks to its unique spiritual ambiance and enchanting natural setting. The beach offers a peaceful and spiritual experience, surrounded by breathtaking scenery, and is prized for its aesthetic qualities and serenity. A beached ship is visible at this beach, located north of Azemmour, adding a mystical touch to the landscape.
This ship is a Greek cargo ship called the Lyubov Orlova, which ran aground on the coast in 1983. Its history is quite interesting: It was built in 1976 in Yugoslavia for the Soviet Far Eastern Shipping Company. Initially used as a cruise ship in the cold waters of the Antarctic and the Arctic, it was later sold and converted into a cargo ship. During one crossing, it encountered serious technical problems, which led to its grounding at Lalla Aïcha Bahria. Since then, it has remained there, slowly decomposing and becoming a curiosity for visitors to the beach. The story of the ship stranded at Lalla Aïcha Bahria Beach is also tinged with another legend, mixing reality and local folklore. According to the tradition often told by locals, Moulay Abdellah, a prince or nobleman, fell in love with Lalla Aïcha, a beautiful young woman from the region. Desperate at not being able to marry her because of family or social opposition, Moulay Abdellah decided to flee with her by sea.
The couple is said to have boarded a ship, hoping to find refuge and happiness elsewhere. However, a sudden storm hit the coast, causing the boat to sink near the beach now named Lalla Aïcha Bahria. According to legend, the stranded ship was the one carrying the two lovers, and their tragic love story has left a lasting impression on the local imagination, giving the place a mysterious aura.
Today, it is a point of attraction for curious people and photography enthusiasts, adding a unique character to this beautiful beach.
