Chapter 36. Mocha from old accounts, views and maps

Mocha was historically a significant port city on the Red Sea, known for its coffee trade and as a pilgrimage stop. The city's appearance and infrastructure, including its walls, gates, and buildings, have been described in detail by various travelers and scholars from the 17th to the 20th centuries. Over time, Mocha declined due to attacks, shifts in trade routes, and neglect, leading to a decrease in population and the deterioration of its buildings. The intra-mural city included streets, squares, and diverse buildings like the governor's house, European factories, bazaars, and mosques. The extra-mural areas consisted of huts inhabited by various ethnic groups. The text mentions specific structures, architectural details, and aspects of daily life, such as the escorting of the governor to the mosque and cavalry exercises.