Purpuraires Islands (Islas Mogador) South-west of the bay of Essaouira, these islands … were first inhabited in the 12th century BC. J.C. by the Phoenicians. It is only the first century AD during the reign of King Juba II, the site became a factory of purple. Occupied and fortified the time of Sultan Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah Alawi, the islands are now home to a bird sanctuary inhabited by a species of endangered falcon, falcon Eleonore.