Introduction of 'The Bastard' in the Urban Fabric of the Tetuan Medina-Dar Oddi House

Abstract

The medina of Tetuan has suffered a steady growing since its founding at the end of xv century by Sidi al-Mandary. It has always followed the Islamic city rules and included those works carried away by the sultan. This process had two breaking moments, that of the occupation of the city by the Spanish army in 1860 and the establishment of the Spanish protectorate. The first inside widening of the Luneta Street of the medina took place when the Rif War had already finished (provoked by the establishment of the Spanish Protectorate). The Widening was being built and the "modernity" could astonish anyone. The motives for Hadj Ahmed El Oddi to build his own house in the heart of the medina should be searched in the "kaida", that is the tradition so close to the muslin character of Tetuan. Building inside the medina meant not only keeping the familiar tradition but following the way of life their family, neighbours, friends kept. It was considered improper to do it in a different place. They could own properties in the new quarters, but only to be rented, not to be first residence. Dar Oddi was built in 1920 in the city centre al-Blal, the oldest quarter of the medina of Tetuan. Built on the foundation of a demolished house would be built as the new houses already built inside the medina by neighbours and relatives. That 'current fashion' was similar to a muslin house of the beginning of the XX century: based on the tradition but contaminated by the social changes taking place outside he medina and in short inside. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.