Battle of Tétouan
Tétouan, northern Morocco
What happened
A Spanish army under General Leopoldo O'Donnell, with Juan Prim, fought Moroccan forces. In the Hispano-Moroccan War, about 36,000 Spanish soldiers with ships and artillery advanced from Algeciras toward the city of Tétouan. After weeks of clashes, a large Moroccan attack was stopped at the end of January. The Spanish then attacked near Tétouan on 4 February, and the city fell two days later.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It stopped further Moroccan attacks on the Spanish towns of Ceuta and Melilla. O'Donnell was made Duke of Tetuán and later became Prime Minister of Spain.
What came next
Spain occupied Tétouan for 27 months. In 1913 Tétouan became the capital of the Spanish protectorate in northern Morocco.
Did you know?
The Madrid neighbourhood of Tetuán de las Victorias grew up on the site of the army's camp.
Timeline
- 31 January 1860A large Moroccan attack is stopped.
- 4 February 1860The Spanish win near Tétouan.
- 6 February 1860Tétouan falls to Spain.
- 1913Tétouan becomes capital of the Spanish protectorate.
- 1997Tétouan's medina becomes a World Heritage Site.