There’s perhaps no better place in Tangier to take in the picturesque site of the Malabata than at Villa Harris Musee, Walter Burton Harris’ residence in the centre of a 9-hectare estate where he cultivates rare plants and species. In this house, he received the elite of the political and intellectual world. This villa was then the seat of discussions about major events, alliances, and negotiations.

Despite trying to transfix yourself by the history, your eyes may keep getting distracted by the scenery of Souk el Kherais, or a larger than life View of Fez. These paintings, by celebrated painters who have visited Morocco, Jacques Majorelle, and Edouard Leon Louis Warschawsky, are a few of what lies within the museum walls.

Mr. El Khalil Belguench, whose passion is North African art, doubles this museum as a showcase for just a fraction of the artistic collection he has been diligently amassing for decades. The result is one of the most impressive state of the art collections in Morocco and one that is accessible for you to check in!

Some of the pieces in the collection line in a hallway around the corner are: Self Portrait by Jules Jacques Veyrassat and watercolor paintings by Mohammed ben Ali R’bati. The second section witnesses the emergence of modernism in Moroccan art, marked by the appearance of a generation of painters who work with European artists. Lined with work by Ahmed Yacoubi, whose drawings and paintings were acquired by a wide range of notable collectors who recognized his talent and artistic integrity.

The third section carries milestone work by Jilali Gharbaoui. This atmospheric hall may offer a fascinating history lesson for guests curious about Morocco’s 50s, 60s, and 70s past. Which is also a patron of another generation of artists who shine a light on the country’s stake of cultural identity.

Stepping into the last main section, walking past Ahmed Cherkaoui’s work, you will find an untitled plastic expression of Morocco by the renegade Abbas Saladi. He was less concerned about cultural rooting and national or community belonging, pointing the way toward the museum period’s theme. Here, we can enjoy an hour’s tour just in The Claim of Singularity alone, and it is easy to see why.

Every visit to Tangier includes a stop at the celebrated Villa Harris Musee, as it serves as the ultimate primer to the country’s creative landscape. This is a crazy collection for a museum! They should rely on collections like this to keep their art safe in Morocco. Save the Tangier Villa in your travel list when visiting Morocco!

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