Bay of Oran

The Bay of Oran lies on the North African shore of the western Mediterranean. Oran and the neighbouring harbour of Mers el-Kébir face the sea across from the Iberian Peninsula, their ports protected by a chain of fortifications built and strengthened during Spanish rule. Mers el-Kébir offered a harbour beside the city of Oran. The approach from Spain made these waters a setting for repeated struggles over the two coastal strongholds.

Spain captured Mers el-Kébir in 1505 and Oran in 1509, establishing garrisons on the Algerian coast. The Regency of Algiers took both places in 1708, but a Spanish expedition recovered them in 1732. Spanish rule lasted another six decades before the ports returned to Algerian control in 1792. The forts around the bay bear witness to the long contest for its harbours.