The Medina of Essaouira was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Morocco in 2001. This extraordinary fishing village was once know as Mogador, but grew into a significant seaport in later years. It is a wonderfully preserved example of eighteenth century architecture and one of only a few fortified towns that have survived to this day. Today the Medina of Essaouira is considered to be a popular tourist resort and has remained one of the best anchorages in Morocco. This is mainly due to the fact that Mogador Island protects the harbor from high seas and strong winds.