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The flag used by the autonomous city consists of the heraldic shield placed at the center of a light blue field. It bears the titles of Muy Valerosa y Humanitaria (Very Valiant and Humanitarian), granted by King Alfonso XIII through a Royal Decree on March 11, 1913, in recognition of the population's aid during the campaigns of 1893, 1909, and 1911.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It also holds the title of Muy Caritativa (Very Charitable), granted by the same king on February 9, 1929, for providing assistance to the victims of the explosion at the Cabrerizas Bajas gunpowder magazine. Additionally, it bears the title of Adelantada del Movimiento Nacional (Leader of the National Movement), granted by Francisco Franco in March 1962, for being the city where the Spanish Civil War began. This last title has not been removed and remains unused by the city, recalling the unrecognized title of Adelantada de España en África (Leader of Spain in Africa) granted by the Catholic Monarchs for its role as a forward post in defending the Andalusian coast against the Barbary pirates.<ref>Template:Cite periodical</ref>
During the 15th century, the city declined, like most Mediterranean cities of the Kingdom of Fez, eclipsed by those on the Atlantic.Template:Sfn After the Catholic Monarchs' conquest of the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada in 1492, their Secretary Template:Interlanguage link gathered intelligence about the sorry state of the North African coast with territorial expansion in mind.Template:Sfn He sent agents to investigate, and subsequently reported to the Catholic Monarchs that, as of 1494, locals had expelled the authority of the Sultan of Fez and had offered to pledge loyalty.Template:Sfn While the 1494 Treaty of Tordesillas put Melilla and Cazaza, until then reserved to the Portuguese, under the sphere of Castile, the conquest of the city had to wait, delayed by the French occupation of Naples.Template:Sfn
Melilla was initially jointly administered by the House of Medina Sidonia and the Crown,Template:Sfn and a 1498 settlement required the former to station a 700-man garrison in Melilla and the latter to provide the city with a number of maravedíes and wheat fanegas.Template:Sfn The Crown's interest in Melilla decreased during the reign of Charles V.Template:Sfn During the 16th century, soldiers stationed in Melilla were badly remunerated, leading to many desertions.Template:Sfn The Duke of Medina Sidonia relinquished responsibility over the garrison of the place on 7 June 1556.Template:Sfn
One Spanish officer reflected, "an hour in Melilla, from the point of view of merit, was worth more than thirty years of service to Spain."<ref name="Rezette41">Rezette, p. 41</ref>
The current limits of the Spanish territory around the Melilla fortress were fixed by treaties with Morocco in 1859, 1860, 1861, and 1894. In the late 19th century, as Spanish influence expanded in this area, the Crown authorized Melilla as the only centre of trade on the Rif coast between Tetuan and the Algerian border. The value of trade increased, with goat skins, eggs and beeswax the principal exports, and cotton goods, tea, sugar and candles the chief imports.
Melilla's civil population in 1860 still amounted to only 375 estimated inhabitants.Template:Sfn In a 1866 Hispano-Moroccan arrangement signed in Fes, both parties agreed to allow for the installment of a customs office near the border with Melilla, to be operated by Moroccan officials.Template:Sfn The Treaty of Peace with Morocco that followed the 1859–60 War entailed the acquisition of a new perimeter for Melilla, bringing its area to that where the 12 km2 the autonomous city currently stands.Template:Sfn Following the declaration of Melilla as a free port in 1863, the population began to increase, chiefly with Sephardi Jews fleeing from Tetouan who fostered trade in and out of the city.Template:Sfn The first Jews from Tetouan probably arrived in 1864,Template:Sfn and the first rabbi arrived in 1867 and began to operate the first synagogue, located in the Calle de San Miguel.Template:Sfn Many Jews arrived fleeing from persecution in Morocco instigated by Roghi Bu Hamara.Template:Sfn Following the 1868 lifting of the veto of emigration to Melilla from Peninsular Spain, the population further increased with Spaniards.Template:Sfn The Jewish population, who also progressively acquired Spanish citizenship, increased to 572 in 1893.Template:Sfn The economic opportunities created in Melilla henceforth favoured the installment of a Berber population.Template:Sfn
The first body of local government was the junta de arbitrios created in 1879,Template:Sfn in which the military enjoy preponderance.Template:Sfn The Polígono excepcional de Tiro, the first neighborhood outside the walled core (Melilla la Vieja), began construction in 1888.Template:Sfn
In 1893, Riffian tribesmen launched the First Melillan campaign to try to conquer the city; the Spanish government sent 25,000 soldiers to defend it against them. The conflict was also known as the Margallo War, after Spanish General Juan García y Margallo, Governor of Melilla, who was killed in the battle. The new 1894 agreement with Morocco that followed the conflict increased trade with the hinterland, bringing the economic prosperity of the city to a new level.Template:Sfn The total population of Melilla amounted to 10,004 inhabitants in 1896.Template:Sfn
The turn of the new century saw attempts by France (based in French Algeria) to profit from their newly acquired sphere of influence in Morocco to counter Melilla's trading prowess by fostering trade links with the Algerian cities of Ghazaouet and Oran.Template:Sfn Melilla began to suffer from this, to which the instability brought by revolts against Muley Abdel Aziz in the hinterland also added,Template:Sfn although after 1905 Sultan pretender El Rogui (Bou Hmara) carried out a defusing policy in the area that favoured Spain.Template:Sfn The French occupation of Oujda in 1907 compromised the Melillan trade with that city,Template:Sfn and the enduring instability in the Rif still threatened Melilla.Template:Sfn Between 1909 and 1945, the modernista (Art Nouveau) style was prevalent in local architecture, making Melilla's streets a "true museum of modernista-style architecture", second only to Barcelona, mainly stemming from the work of architect Enrique Nieto.Template:Sfn
Mining companies began to enter the hinterland of Melilla by 1908.Template:Sfn A Spanish company, the Template:Ill, was constituted in July 1908, shared by Clemente Fernández, Enrique Macpherson, the Count of Romanones, the Duke of Tovar and Template:Ill, who appointed Miguel Villanueva as chairman.Template:Sfn Thus two mining companies under the protection of Bou Hmara started mining lead and iron 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) from Melilla. They started to construct a railway between the port and the mines. In October of that year, Bou Hmara's vassals revolted against him and raided the mines, which remained closed until June 1909. By July the workmen were again attacked and several were killed. Severe fighting between the Spaniards and the tribesmen followed, in the Second Melillan campaign that took place in the vicinity of Melilla.
In 1910, the Spaniards restarted the mines and undertook harbor works at Mar Chica, but hostilities broke out again in 1911. On 22 July 1921, the Berbers under the leadership of Abd el Krim inflicted a grave defeat on the Spanish at the Battle of Annual. The Spanish retreated to Melilla, leaving most of the protectorate under the control of the Republic of the Rif.
A royal decree pursuing the creation of an ayuntamiento in Melilla was signed on 13 December 1918 but the regulation did not come into force, and thus the existing government body, the Template:Lang, remained in force.Template:Sfn
A "junta municipal" with a rather civil composition was created in 1927; on 10 April 1930, an ayuntamiento featuring the same membership as the junta was created,Template:Sfn equalling to the same municipal regime as the rest of Spain on 14 April 1931, with the arrival of the first democratically elected municipal corporation on the wake of the proclamation of the Second Republic.Template:Sfn
In the context of the passing of the Ley de Extranjería in 1986, and following social mobilization from the Berber community, conditions for citizenship acquisition were flexibilised and allowed for the naturalisation of a substantial number of inhabitants, until then born in Melilla but without Spanish citizenship.Template:Sfn
On 6 November 2007, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia visited Melilla, with several display of affection from the population. The visit also sparked protests from the Moroccan government.<ref>Template:Citation</ref> It was the first time a Spanish monarch had visited Melilla in 80 years.
Melilla, together with Ceuta, declared the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha —Feast of the Sacrifice— an official public holiday from 2010 onward. It is the first time a non-Christian religious festival has been officially celebrated in Spain since the Reconquista.<ref>Template:Citation</ref><ref>Template:Citation</ref>
In 2018, Morocco decided to close the customs office near Melilla, the first time since mid-19th century, without any consultation with Spain.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The customs office was expected to reopen in January 2023.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
As of February 2025, trade was still tentative and limited.<ref name="Ponce">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Morales">Template:Cite news</ref>
Melilla was the location of the last public statue in Spain to commemorate former dictator Francisco Franco following Spain's Historical Memory Law, passed in 2007, which included provision to the removal of any artefacts which celebrated the Franco regime from all public buildings and spaces. Nonetheless, the statue remained on the Cuesta de la Florentina street until its final removal in 2021.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
The Moroccan settlement of Beni Ansar lies immediately south of Melilla. The nearest Moroccan city is Nador, and the ports of Melilla and Nador are within the same bay; nearby is the Bou Areg Lagoon.<ref name="wps">Template:Cite web</ref>
Template:Climate chartMelilla has a hot Mediterranean climate on the border with a hot Semi-arid climate, influenced by its proximity to the sea, rendering much cooler summers and more precipitation than inland areas deeper into Africa. The climate, in general, is similar to the southern coast of peninsular Spain and the northern coast of Morocco, with relatively small temperature differences between seasons. Minimum temperatures have never been below Template:Convert during 1991-2020 period, and only 2.2 days per year have maximum temperature above Template:Convert.<ref name=NCEI/>
The relief of Melilla is characterized by its variety, including a rocky peninsula, an elevated plateau, and a volcanic massif. The Melilla Peninsula, which extends into the Mediterranean Sea, is dominated by elevated terrain. To the southeast is the coastal lagoon of Mar Chica, and to the south lies the volcanic massif of Gurugú. The city's maximum altitude exceeds 200 meters above sea level. Melilla is built on a hill that gently slopes down towards the sea to the east, while the western area features more rugged terrain. The eastern coast has rocky cliffs with panoramic views of the sea. This diverse relief has influenced the urban layout, with the old town adapted to the irregularities of the land, while the more modern neighborhoods extend into the flatter areas.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The main river of Melilla is the Río de Oro, which originates in Mount Gurugú, in Morocco, where it is called the Río Meduar, southwest of the city. It flows into the bay of Melilla between the beaches of San Lorenzo and Los Cárabos.
The river remains dry for most of the year, only flowing when there are continuous rains, such as those on October 26, 2008, which washed away the Melilla fence and caused the Río de Oro and its streams to overflow. A small dam near the Melilla fence, on the Nano River, was also destroyed. The river flows in a roughly southwest-northeast direction and receives water from the left side from the Tigorfaten streams, the Cañada de la Muerte, the Nano River, and the Cabrerizas ravine. On the right, it receives water from the Farhana and Sidi-Guariach streams.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Pedogenesis is a synthetic process in which the rest of the natural factors, both biotic and abiotic, are involved.
Melilla features a mountainous geography and relief that influence the formation of its soils. The Mediterranean climate, with dry summers and mild winters, favors the development of calcareous and stony soils. The vegetation, mainly shrubs and scattered forests, contributes to the formation of humus, increasing fertility in certain areas.
The soils in Melilla include calcareous, stony, and clayey types, depending on the relief and altitude. Pedogenetic processes are marked by erosion, decomposition of organic matter, and the alkalinity of the soils due to the presence of limestone. However, human activities such as urbanization and agriculture have impacted these processes, leading to soil compaction and loss of fertility.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The fauna of Melilla is closely linked to its natural environment, particularly to the vegetation that dominates the region. Despite the alterations caused by urban expansion and human impact, a surprising diversity of species has managed to adapt and survive in this territory.
Among the most representative species are reptiles such as the common chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleon) and the spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca), which are unique to the region and are considered endangered. The spur-thighed tortoise, in particular, has a historical connection with Melilla, as evidence of its presence has been found since ancient times. This species remains an important part of the local fauna, and its popularity in captivity reflects its close relationship with Melilla's culture.
The bird fauna is also very rich, with several species of birds of prey, both diurnal and nocturnal, such as the peregrine falcon, kestrel, and owl. Additionally, Melilla is a notable stopover for migratory birds, with more than 100 species recorded that pass through its skies during their journeys between Europe and Africa.
The marine ecosystem of Melilla also hosts species that are endangered, such as the loggerhead sea turtle and the bottlenose dolphin, although information about these ecosystems is limited. Moreover, its waters contain interesting species such as Mediterranean coral reefs and various marine invertebrates.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Aguadú Cliffs. A maritime-terrestrial space that includes cliffs, beaches, and marine bottoms, all especially rich in plant and animal species. The cliff nesting bird colonies, such as those of Audouin's gull (Larus audouinii), are particularly noteworthy. In the marine bottoms, the presence of rusty limpet (Patella ferruginea), an endangered species of mollusk found in abundance here, is remarkable. At depths of 15 to 20 meters, some of the best Mediterranean coral reefs in Spain can be found. On the terrestrial platform, various species of arthropods and terrestrial mollusks endemic to the area are abundant.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Vehicle traffic is the main cause of pollution in the city.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The periodic droughts in Melilla cause increased levels of suspended particulate pollutants as well as other gases like carbon dioxide and nitrogen,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> which in that year still did not exceed the allowed levels. Regarding noise pollution, it has been detected that Melilla exceeds 65.7 decibels, surpassing the levels established by the World Health Organization.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The major sources of coastal pollution come from sewage (65.8%) and oils and petroleum (34.2%). The high population density leads to the production of large amounts of wastewater, which is discharged into the sea. There is a treatment plant in the city, but discharges from other areas affect Melilla, causing an increase in turbidity that hinders the penetration of sunlight necessary for the photosynthesis of aquatic plants, an imbalance in aquatic communities due to excessive organic matter, an increase in germs in the coastal environment, as well as the appearance of foam and scum on the sea surface.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Melilla is exposed to various natural hazards that influence territorial planning and urban development. The main risk is that of flooding, particularly caused by flash floods after episodes of torrential rain. The Río de Oro, which runs through the city, has an artificial channel with limited capacity, leading to frequent overflows, especially at its mouth, affecting neighborhoods such as Industrial and Real.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Flooding is worsened by the accumulation of solid waste, illegal occupation of the river's easement zone, and lack of maintenance of the channel. In addition, certain urban developments have altered the natural drainage network, increasing vulnerability to rainfall.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Other hazards present in the territory include erosion of riverbeds and the coastline, occasional landslides in cliff areas, and a moderate seismic risk, with an estimated seismic acceleration of 0.08 g, which allows for earthquakes of intensity VI on a 500-year return period.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The government bodies stipulated in the Statute of Autonomy are the Assembly of Melilla, the President of Melilla and the Council of Government. The assembly is a 25-member body whose members are elected through universal suffrage every 4 years in closed party lists following the schedule of local elections at the national level. Its members are called "local deputies" but they rather enjoy the status of concejales (municipal councillors).Template:Sfn Unlike regional legislatures (and akin to municipal councils), the assembly does not enjoy right of initiative for primary legislation.Template:Sfn
The president of Melilla (who, often addressed as Mayor-President, also exerts the roles of Mayor, president of the Assembly, president of the Council of Government and representative of the city)Template:Sfn is invested by the Assembly. After local elections, the president is invested through a qualified majority from among the leaders of the election lists, or, failing to achieve the former, the leader of the most voted list at the election is invested to the office.Template:Sfn In case of a motion of no confidence the president can only be ousted with a qualified majority voting for an alternative assembly member.Template:Sfn
The Council of Government is the traditional collegiate executive body for parliamentary systems. Unlike the municipal government boards in the standard ayuntamientos, the members of the Council of Government (including the vice-presidents) do not need to be members of the assembly.Template:Sfn
Melilla is the city in Spain with the highest proportion of postal voting;<ref name=bautista /> vote buying (via mail-in ballots) is widely reported to be a common practice in the poor neighborhoods of Melilla.<ref name=bautista>Template:Cite web</ref> Court cases in this matter had involved the PP, the CPM and the PSOE.<ref name=bautista />
Before the reform of the postal code system implemented in Spain, Melilla used the code 29801, corresponding to the province of Málaga, with which it maintained an administrative affiliation. The number 29 identified all localities belonging to that province, and Melilla did not have a specific postal code of its own, despite its geographical and political singularity.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
This situation changed with the entry into force of the Order of 27 September 1995, which established a new postal code system to better reflect the territorial particularities of certain areas. As a result of this order, from 1 February 1996, Melilla began using the prefix 52, with 52001 assigned as its main postal code. This change marked an administrative separation from Málaga in postal terms and was part of the broader process of institutional recognition of Melilla as an autonomous city.<ref>Template:Citation</ref>
Since then, all postal codes in Melilla begin with 52, thus distinguishing it from mainland Spain and reinforcing its distinct administrative and territorial identity.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The gross domestic product (GDP) of the autonomous community was 1.6 billion euros in 2018, accounting for 0.1% of Spanish economic output. GDP per capita adjusted for purchasing power was 19,900 euros or 66% of the EU27 average in the same year. Melilla was the NUTS2 region with the lowest GDP per capita in Spain.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Melilla does not participate in the European Union Customs Union (EUCU).Template:Sfn There is no VAT (IVA) tax, but a local reduced-rate tax called IPSI.Template:Sfn Preserving the status of free port, imports are free of tariffs and the only tax concerning them is the IPSI.Template:Sfn Exports to the Customs Union (including Peninsular Spain) are however subject to the correspondent customs tariff and are taxed with the correspondent VAT.Template:Sfn There are some special manufacturing taxes regarding electricity and transport, as well as complementary charges on tobacco and oil and fuel products.Template:Sfn
Labor market
The labor market in Melilla in 2023 shows an unemployment rate of 27.42%, the second-highest in Spain. The employment rate is 42.55%, lower than the national average. The services sector leads in affiliations and hiring, with 90% of contracts in this sector. Despite an improvement in contract stability, the total number of contracts decreased by 16.45%. Melilla remains a region that exports young workers, mainly to Andalusia. The most commonly hired occupations are low-skilled jobs, such as cleaning staff and waiters. Prospects for 2024 are positive in sectors such as retail and catering, although mismatches between supply and demand for employment persist due to a lack of proper training.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>Template:Wide image
The economic sector that generates the most wealth and employment is the services sector, which accounts for 80% of the 1.564 billion euros of GDP in 2018, and employs 32% of the population (2021). The principal industry is fishing. Cross-border commerce (legal or smuggled) and Spanish and European grants and wages are the other income sources.
Business activity
In 2022, there were a total of 4,856 companies in the city, generally small-sized. Of these, 2,617 were dedicated to commerce, transportation, and hospitality, 1,714 to services, 615 to professional and technical activities, and the rest to other services.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Melilla is regularly connected to the Iberian peninsula by air and sea traffic and is also economically connected to Morocco: most of its fruit and vegetables are imported across the border. Moroccans in the city's hinterland are attracted to it: 36,000 Moroccans cross the border daily to work, shop or trade goods.<ref name="vk1">English translation of Volkskrant article: Melilla North-Africa's European dreamTemplate:Webarchive, 5 August 2010, visited 3 June 2012</ref>
In Melilla, there are various commercial establishments, including the Centro Comercial Parque Melilla, several department stores, hypermarkets, and supermarkets. Among the most notable are those belonging to major distribution chains, such as the hypermarket Carrefour, with a branch in the city, Mercadona, with one store, Dia, with three locations, Lidl, with one store, and Aldi, with one store.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Moreover, trade with Morocco has historically been key to the economy of Melilla, especially through the commercial customs office, which facilitated the passage of essential goods for the city. However, in 2018, Morocco closed this customs office, severely affecting Melilla’s merchants and the approximately 5,000 cross-border workers who depended on informal trade. In 2020, the border closure due to the pandemic further exacerbated the situation, limiting commercial exchange.
In 2025, after nearly three years of negotiations, Spain and Morocco agreed to reopen the commercial customs offices, though with new restrictions on the products that could cross and a limit on the number of trucks per day. This agreement, although limited, has allowed a partial recovery of cross-border trade, providing relief to the sectors most affected in Melilla.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
The industry in Melilla played a significant role during the 20th century, especially in agricultural and canning production. In the early 20th century, the fishing industry stood out the most, with fish canning factories such as the one founded in 1907 by Luigi Dassori, the San Luis cannery. This industry grew rapidly, driven by the export of fish products to other cities in mainland Spain and Mediterranean countries.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
In addition to fishing, Melilla also developed a processing industry for products such as flour, yogurt, wine, and oil, supported by its agricultural activity. The “Granja Agrícola del Estado” (State Agricultural Farm) played a key role in the development of local production, which remained active until the mid-1990s. However, urbanization and a lack of water resources eventually hindered these productive sectors.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Despite the industrial importance of fishing and agriculture in the past, industrial activities in Melilla have now significantly declined. Former factories have been replaced with other uses, and the city's economy has shifted toward the service sector, largely due to urban growth and a shortage of natural resources like water.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Melilla has a small territory, much of which is occupied by urban land, and a significant portion belongs to the Ministry of Defence. This limits the development and use of land, which is essential for the primary sector and other economic activities. Land management must balance urban, defense, and productive interests.
Until the 1980s, livestock and agriculture were key sectors of Melilla’s economy, with orchards covering over a third of the territory, producing vegetables, cereals, and animal products that were even exported to mainland Spain. The creation of the “State Agricultural Farm” was essential to local agricultural development. However, from the 1980s onward, urbanization and water scarcity led to the decline of these sectors. Despite efforts to revive agriculture through a 1994 “Irrigation Plan,” the activity faded and is now limited to small-scale subsistence farming.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Fishing in Melilla has been significant since ancient times, peaking in the early 20th century. In 1907, the San Luis cannery boosted exports, especially of sardines. From 1914 onward, Andalusian fishing boats arrived for the “Winter Campaign,” increasing production.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The most common species were sardines, tuna and seafood, much of which was exported to other countries. The fleet was modernized through motorization, with over 100 boats operating by 1930.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
More modern fishing facilities were built over the years, such as fish markets in 1916 and 1921. The canning and salting industries, including San Luis, provided jobs for many locals.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
However, from the 1980s, the sector began to decline due to overfishing and regulatory restrictions, despite the founding of the Fishermen's Guild in 1945.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The Melilla–San Juan de las Minas railway line, inaugurated in 1914, was vital to Melilla’s economy by enabling the transport of iron ore from the Rif region to its port. Operated by the Compañía Española de Minas del Rif, it boosted industrial activity, port trade, and infrastructure investment. Its profitability declined after the independence of Morocco and the rise of road transport, leading to its closure in 1972. It was one of Melilla’s economic drivers in the 20th century.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Melilla has developed a Strategic Comprehensive Plan with the aim of transforming its production model, focusing on three key sectors: tourism, the digital economy, and the green and circular economy. These sectors currently have a limited impact on the city, but they are considered to offer significant opportunities to diversify the economy and improve employment.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The tourism sector in Melilla has enormous potential due to its historical heritage and its ties with Morocco, but faces challenges such as high transportation costs and the lack of a clear strategy. The Strategic Plan proposes rehabilitating historical heritage for tourism purposes, developing an international promotion plan, and fostering financing for tourism businesses, as well as implementing a tourism resilience strategy to improve infrastructure and attract more visitors. Currently, Melilla has 10 hotel establishments and 838 beds, which represents a limited capacity. Although occupancy has increased, reaching 58% in 2023, there is a recognized need to improve hotel infrastructure. In this regard, the Autonomous City is working on several projects to expand the offer, such as converting the Governor's House into a hotel, the rehabilitation of the Parador, and the construction of a new hotel in the Explanada de San Lorenzo, in addition to offering subsidies to improve existing hotels, with the aim of strengthening the tourism sector, especially in the areas of conferences and events.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The plan seeks to strengthen the digital economy by modernizing the industrial fabric and SMEs, investing in digitalization, and improving the capabilities of businesses and workers. This would help diversify the economy, reduce dependence on the public sector, and take advantage of technological market opportunities.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
To promote a sustainable economy, the Plan includes measures to improve waste recycling, boost energy self-consumption (through energy communities), and increase energy efficiency, particularly in the tourism sector. It also highlights projects such as marine conservation and improving the water supply.
Many people travelling between Europe and Morocco use the ferry links to Melilla, both for passengers and for freight. Because of this, the port and related companies form an important economic driver for the city.<ref name="vk1" />
Melilla has been praised as an example of multiculturalism, being a small city in which one can find Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, and Buddhists represented.<ref name=modernism>Template:Cite news</ref>
Percentagewise, Melilla may be the most Jewish city in Spain with around 1,000 Jews still living in the city, down from 7,000 around the year 1930 which is mainly due to economic reasons resulting in moving to the Spanish mainland, Israel or elsewhere. During the second half of the 19th century, many of Sephardic Jews moved from northern Morocco to Melilla. The first ones were traders from the Moroccan cities who came for economic and safety reasons. Later, impoverished Jews from the rural Riffian areas joined, also because of safety reasons.<ref name=ElMundo2018Jews>Template:Cite web</ref>
According to the Spanish Center for Sociological Research, Roman Catholicism is the largest religion in Melilla.<ref name=CIS2019Melilla>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2019, the proportion of Melillans that identify themselves as Roman Catholic was 65.0% (31.7% define themselves as not practising, while 33.3% as practising). 30% identify as followers of other faiths, 2.7% identify as non-believers, and 2.3% identify as atheists.<ref name="CIS2019Melilla" />
Some sources indicate that Muslims account for roughly half the population in Melilla, which is in conflict with the Spanish Center for Sociological Research reported numbers.Template:Sfn
There is a small, autonomous, and commercially important Hindu community present in Melilla, which has fallen over the past decades as its members move to the Spanish mainland and numbers about 100 members today.<ref name=modernism />
Melilla features a diglossia, with Spanish as the first and official language and Tarifit as the second language, with limited written codification, and usage restricted to family and domestic relations and oral speech.Template:Sfn
The population can be thus divided into monolingual Spanish speakers of European ethnic origin (without competence in any other language than those formally taught at school); those descended from Tamazight-speaking parents, usually bilingual in Spanish and Tamazight; and Moroccan immigrants and cross-border workers, with a generally dominant Tamazight language (with some also competent in Arabic) and a L2 competence in Spanish.Template:Sfn The Spanish spoken in Melilla is similar to the Andalusian variety from Cádiz,Template:Sfn whereas the Berber variant spoken in Melilla is the Tarifit common with the neighbouring Nador area.Template:Sfn Rather than Berber (Template:Langx), Berber speakers in Melilla use either the glotonym Template:Lang, or, in Spanish, Template:Lang for their language.Template:Sfn
The first attempt to legislate a degree of recognition for Berber in Melilla was in 1994, in the context of the elaboration of the Statute of Autonomy, by mentioning the promotion of the linguistic and cultural pluralism (without explicitly mentioning the Berber language). The initiative went nowhere, voted down by PP and PSOE.Template:Sfn Reasons cited for not recognizing Tamazight are related to the argument that the variety is not standardized.Template:Sfn
The urban expansion of Melilla began after the Treaty of Wad Ras in 1860, when the city experienced slow initial growth due to immigration, mainly from the Jewish community and the province of Málaga. In 1861, commercial activity began to drive the population, which that year was only 375 people. In 1868, an expansion plan was approved and executed in 1879, and in 1881, neighborhoods outside the walls, such as the Alcazaba and Mantelete, were built, allowing the population to rise to 3,031 inhabitants in 1893.
Over the years, the population of Melilla grew rapidly, especially between 1893 and 1909, when the 1893 war and the arrival of troops boosted the population to 6,000. During this time, new neighborhoods were created, and key infrastructures were built. In 1906, the population reached 8,800 people, and by 1909, the expansion intensified even further with new neighborhoods like the Hipódromo and the construction of tall buildings. However, the urbanization plan approved in 1910 was largely ignored, resulting in irregular urban growth.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In the following decades, Melilla continued expanding, consolidating urban property and creating informal neighborhoods, such as García Valiño and Virgen de la Victoria, in response to the growing demand for housing, especially after the Battle of Annual in 1921. The expansion culminated in 1956, with the urbanization of the last available land, consolidating the urban core of the city.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
This process of urban growth was accompanied by the evolution of the Plan General de Ordenación Urbana (PGOU) of Melilla, which aims to regulate land use and building conditions. The original PGOU was approved in 1986 and revised in 1995. Since then, the plan has undergone various modifications, such as the reclassification of barracks in 2014 and a specific modification in 2015 for the execution unit E.U.-34 Valenzuela Barracks. More recently, in 2023, a temporary suspension of construction licenses was approved due to the coexistence of the 1995 PGOU and its current revision. This process aims to ensure appropriate urban planning that adapts to the current needs of the city and promotes controlled and balanced growth.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The Port of Melilla is the city's seaport, operating continuously at least since 1908. The port is one of the busiest ports on the Mediterranean Sea, with 646,836 passengers in 2023.<ref>Memoria 2008, Annual ReportTemplate:Webarchive, Port of Málaga site</ref> The port has a ferry connection to the Port of Málaga, playing a role in the so-called Operación paso del estrecho ("Operation Pass of the Strait"), the planned seasonal transit of passengers during the summer months from Europe to North-Africa (and back to Europe).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Between 2010 and 2019, Melilla saw a steady increase in passenger numbers, with an 8.57% rise in 2019, mainly driven by air travel. However, maritime transport consistently carried more passengers, although air travel showed notable growth, particularly from 2017 onward, with significant increases of 5.09% in 2016 and 8.57% in 2019.
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted passenger numbers in 2020, resulting in a 66.33% drop, particularly in maritime transport due to restrictions. Despite the health crisis, maritime transport retained its status as the dominant mode of transport by passenger volume.
Melilla experienced a strong recovery in 2021 and 2022, with growth rates of 39.10% in 2021 and 81.95% in 2022. During this period, air travel led the rebound, though maritime transport continued to be the primary mode of transport in terms of passenger volume. While air travel numbers increased, the ferry remained more popular due to its capacity and the option to travel with vehicles.
In 2023 and 2024, the growth trend slowed with increases of 5.43% and 6.27%, respectively. Air travel continued to grow, but maritime transport maintained its lead in total passengers. This preference for ships can be attributed to their greater capacity and the ability to transport vehicles.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The city has a good bus network managed by the Cooperativa Ómnibus de Automóviles, which connects all districts of the city. The price of a single ticket is €0.90, paid directly to the driver upon boarding. For frequent travellers, a more economical option is to purchase a rechargeable Bonobús card, available at kiosks and tobacconists. This card allows you to take ten trips for approximately €8.50.
Lines
Line
Route
Frequency
Line 1
Plaza de España - Real
20 - 30 min
Line 2
Mercado Central - Plaza de España - Frontera Beni Enzar
15 min (Monday to Saturday) - 20 min (Sundays and holidays)
Melilla also has a large fleet of taxis with permanent stops in the city center and near border areas (the latter during peak hours). However, most of the vehicles are quite old, second- or fourth-hand, with more than thirty years of age and not particularly comfortable or safe. Many of these taxis do not have seat belts in the rear seats and lack other safety features.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
The push for electric mobility is on the rise, driven by various initiatives both locally and nationally. The local government has started taking measures to promote the adoption of electric vehicles in the city, especially through funds and programs such as the MOVES III Plan.
Melilla will benefit from a fund of €800,000 from the MOVES III Plan, which aims to incentivize the purchase of electric vehicles and the installation of charging infrastructures. This fund is part of the Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan (PRTR), and its management will be entrusted to the public company 'Proyecto Melilla' (Promesa). The subsidies will cover the purchase of electric vehicles, with an incentive of up to 7,000 euros per electric car, as long as an old vehicle is retired.
In addition to electric cars, Melilla is also focusing on the development of renewable energy, especially photovoltaic energy. The installation of solar panels is being promoted, which will not only contribute to the energy transition but also improve energy efficiency in the city.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The energy supply to the city of Melilla aligns with the objectives established in the Action Plan for Climate and Energy (PACES) of the Autonomous City of Melilla.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The Melilla Power Plant, built between 1920 and 1925 by the Compañía Española de Minas del Rif (CEMR), initially provided electricity to the mineral loading dock, later selling power to Gaselec.<ref name="AKROS">Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name="Aldaba">Template:Cite magazine</ref> It closed in 1963, was acquired by Endesa, and underwent several expansions over the years, including the installation of diesel engines in 1980 and a gas turbine in 1991. The plant's most recent upgrades include the addition of advanced MAN engines and Aggreko generators, boosting its power supply capacity. Since 2002, the plant has maintained an ISO 14001 certified environmental management system.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name="barrios2">Template:Cite book</ref>
In 2020, the plant became the center of an innovative circular economy project involving the reuse of electric vehicle batteries for energy storage. The "Second Life Battery Energy Storage System" project, which won the BASF award for the best circular economy practice in Spain, allows the plant to store energy and ensure a stable power supply to the city in the event of failures. The plant uses fuel oil and diesel for its operations and sources water from the sea and the city's water supply network, with a wastewater treatment system in place.<ref name="barrios2" /><ref name="M">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Guía del Modernismo">Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Fuels
The supply of petroleum-derived fuels to Melilla comes from the storage facilities located in the city's port by the company Moeve. The transportation of fuel from the port to its gas stations is carried out by tanker trucks.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Butane and propane gas
The company Moeve has logistics facilities for butane gas and propane in the city to meet the demand for these types of fuels. They also distribute butane gas in the city with a lighter type of gas cylinder.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Melilla's water supply primarily came from a network of dug wells (which by the turn of the 21st century suffered from overexploitation and had also experienced a degradation of the water quality and the intrusion of seawater),<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> as well as the capture of the Río de Oro's underflow.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Seeking to address the water supply problem, works for the construction of a desalination plant in the Aguadú cliffs, projected to produce Template:Convert a day, started in November 2003.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> The plant entered operation in March 2007.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Its daily operation is partially funded by the central government.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Relative to the Spanish average (and similarly to the Canary and Balearic Islands), the city's population spends a comparatively larger amount of money on bottled water.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Valoriza (part of the Sacyr Group) is the municipal public cleaning company of the Melilla City Council. Founded in 1985, it is responsible for managing urban solid waste and cleaning public streets. The company employs 354 workers, operates 100 vehicles, has a central machinery park, six auxiliary cleaning parks, four clear points, a transfer station, a pneumatic waste collection system, and a comprehensive waste treatment center, in addition to its central offices. The annual budget of Valoriza exceeds 50 million euros.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The food supply in Melilla is primarily based on imports from the Iberian Peninsula and, to a lesser extent, on agreements with Morocco.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The supply of fruits, vegetables, fish, and meat in Melilla is mainly carried out through the Mercado Central (Central Market), as well as through large commercial retailers. This market is a key point for local trade and the daily supply of essential food for the population.
Melilla has a good number of nurseries, both public and private, and primary schools, which fall under the authority of the Melilla Autonomous City. Secondary schools are overseen by the Ministry of Education (Spain) through the Territorial Directorate of Education of Melilla, which includes the following schools: IES Leopoldo Queipo, IES Juan Antonio Fernández Pérez, IES Miguel Fernández, IES Enrique Nieto, IES Russadir, IES Virgen de la Victoria, and CIFP Reina Victoria Eugenia. In addition, there is the Special Education CenterReina Sofía, the Adult Education Center Carmen Conde Abellán, the Miguel Marmolejo Art School, and the concerted schools La Salle El Carmen, Enrique Soler, and Nuestra Señora del Buen Consejo (HH. Franciscanas de los SS.CC.).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Melilla is equipped with the Comarcal Hospital of Melilla, inaugurated in 1988. It also has four health centers, which are Centro, Zona Norte (Cabrerizas), Zona Oeste (Alfonso XIII), and Zona Este (Polavieja). The healthcare centers in the Health Area of Melilla are managed by Ingesa (National Institute of Health Management). Construction of the new University Hospital of Melilla began in 2009, with its inauguration scheduled for 2023.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The healthcare centers in Melilla are insufficient as they are overcrowded due to the high demand for medical assistance from Moroccan citizens. Melilla has the highest emergency room usage rate in Spain due to the Moroccan citizens who cross the border daily, between 25,000 and 30,000,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> which overload the emergency services due to the legislation on universal healthcare in the National Health System.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Despite the presence of hospitals in Nador, Berkane, Alhucemas, and Oujda in Morocco, they prefer the Comarcal Hospital in Melilla due to the free healthcare provided. Additionally, as children born in Spanish territory to Spanish parents obtain Spanish nationality, there is a significant influx of pregnant women, who sometimes travel recklessly. As a result, Melilla has the demographic peculiarities of being the city with the highest birth rate per capita and the youngest average age in Spain.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> These and other medical interventions in Melilla and Ceuta caused losses of 105 million euros in 2018.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In Melilla, the 112 Emergency system is operational. Through the free phone number 112, it addresses any emergency situation related to health emergencies, disasters, fire extinguishing, rescue, public safety, and civil protection.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The public safety strategy established in Melilla for large events involving the mobilization and gathering of people, such as the spring festivals of Holy Week and the Fair, or high-risk football matches such as those with the highest local rivalry, or other high-tension and interest events, is planned by an organization called the Center for Operational Coordination of the Melilla City Hall (Cecop). Its contact number is 112, and it includes the participation of the security forces of the National Police, Local Police, Civil Protection, and Firefighters. In addition to the members of Cecop, the maintenance of public safety involves other entities in their specific competencies and responsibilities, such as the Civil Guard, Red Cross, and the emergency medical service known as 061.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Additionally, the Superior Police Headquarters of Melilla of the National Police Corps and the Melilla Command, the Melilla Rural Company, and the C.O.S. of the Civil Guard play key roles in public safety.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The Melilla General Command is a unit of the Spanish Army, responsible for the defense and security of the autonomous city of Melilla and its area of influence. It is made up of the following military units:
The social services provided in the city of Melilla include the provision of protection, guardianship, and social promotion services for individuals or groups in disadvantaged situations, both from local, autonomous community, or private charitable entities, such as Caritas, Red Cross, or other NGOs. The Autonomous City classifies social services into community and specialized services.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The Community Social Services in Melilla are managed by the Social Welfare and Solidarity Department of the City Hall. The social services offered are divided into four distinct action groups: the Social Information, Orientation, and Evaluation Service (SIVO), the Social Coexistence and Reintegration Service (CORE), the Home Assistance Service, the Social Cooperation Service, and the Dependency Care Service.
The Specialized Social Services address more specific and detailed needs and are developed in three lines of action: homelessness and immigrants (COIS), slum population, and emergency situations. These specialized services are divided into the care of the following population groups: elderly, disabled, children and families, homeless individuals, drug addicts, and immigrants.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The Melilla en Red project consists of the establishment of 5 Wi-fi zones providing free and wireless access to Internet. Currently, 21 Wi-Fi points are operational, available in eleven public buildings (the assembly, library, cultural classrooms for seniors, the Exhibition and Congress Palace, or the Javier Imbroda Pavilion) and ten public spaces in the city (Lobera Park, Hernández Park, San Lorenzo Multifunctional Square, Noray Port, Spain Square, or the Plaza de las Culturas). The navigation speed is slow, but in Melilla, access to all pages is available.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Melilla la Vieja is the fortified citadel of Melilla, located on a rocky promontory by the sea. It is the original historic core of the city and one of the best-preserved defensive complexes of Spanish military architecture from the 16th to the 19th centuries. It was built over the remains of ancient phoenician and punic fortifications and was expanded in successive stages by military engineers of the Spanish Monarchy.
It is divided into four fortified enclosures, which house notable elements such as the Chapel of Santiago (the only Gothic building in continental Africa), the conventico Caves, the Forts of the Victories, and a network of underground defensive tunnels.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Today, it is part of the Historic Complex of Melilla and is declared a cultural heritage site, being one of the city's main tourist and heritage attractions.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
The Santiago Gate and Chapel are part of the first fortified enclosure of Melilla la Vieja and are key elements of the city's historical heritage. The Santiago Gate was built in 1549 by engineer Miguel de Perea and was remodeled several times. It features an angled design flanked by towers and is topped with an imperial coat of arms of Charles V.
Next to it is the Chapel of Santiago, built in 1551, considered one of the few examples of gothic architecture in Africa. Its rectangular layout is topped with a ribbed vault. It has undergone several restorations and currently also provides access to the citadel’s underground galleries.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In 2025, it became the starting point of the Vía Rusadir, the first official way of Saint James route originating in Africa. A milestone, marked with Jacobean symbols such as the yellow arrow and the Pilgrim’s shell, was installed in front of the gate to indicate the 972.09 km that separate Melilla from Santiago de Compostela.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The Conventico Caves are a set of artificial grottos located in the first fortified enclosure of Melilla la Vieja, carved into the sandstone rock. Their origin dates back to the 18th century, when they were expanded to serve as shelter and storage during the siege of Melilla (1774–1775). Over time, they were also used as places of worship and refuge for boats in earlier periods.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The Forts of the Victories are located in the Fourth Fortified Enclosure of Melilla la Vieja, and were built between 1735 and 1736 to prevent the placement of enemy artillery. They were renovated in 1778 after the siege of Melilla (1774–1775).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
They are built with local stone for the walls and brick for the arches and vaults, using outdated fortification techniques, incapable of withstanding modern artillery. The riffian tribes, the enemy from which they were supposed to defend Melilla, did not have artillery.
These are a set of fortifications, forts not connected to each other and separated by considerable distances, built in the second half of the 19th century in a neomedieval style that is more graceful than threatening, overflowing with beauty. In some cases, they are painted in bright colors, like orange, making them seem more like game elements than defensive structures.
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From the end of the 19th century, a period of splendor began, resulting in a modern city.
Melilla is, after Barcelona, the city with the greatest representation of Modernist architecture in Spain and the greatest representation of Modernism on the African continent. Hundreds of buildings (more than 500 are cataloged) are spread across the central expansion and its neighborhoods. This modern area is also protected as a Cultural Heritage site and contains numerous buildings by an architect from the School of Barcelona based in Melilla, Enrique Nieto y Nieto, who created a large modernist work, following the architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner. His floral modernist buildings stand out. Other modernist authors in Melilla include Emilio Alzugaray Goicoechea and Tomás Moreno Lázaro.
In the 1930s, Art Deco took hold in Melilla's architecture, with architects such as Francisco Hernanz Martínez and Lorenzo Ros Costa creating spectacular buildings in the city's neighborhoods.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
It is the main cemetery of the Spanish city of Melilla. Located in the Plaza del Cementerio, at the end of Cañada del Agua, it began construction in 1890, under the project of Commander of Engineers Eligio Suza and contractor Manuel Fernández. It was inaugurated on January 1, 1892, and blessed by Vicar Juan Verdejo.
The first corpse buried there was that of Francisco López López, a four-month-old child.<ref name="barrios">Template:Cite book</ref>
There are the Plaza de España, Plaza de las Culturas, Plaza Heroes de España, Plaza Menéndez Pelayo, Plaza Comandante Benítez and Plaza de San Lorenzo.
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It is the most important park in Melilla, created in 1902 in a trapezoidal shape according to the design of engineer Vicente García del Campo, and is located in Plaza de España.
It is named after its founder, Cándido Lobera Girela, who, when he was president of the Junta de Arbitrios, created this park to prevent the construction of shanties on his land.
It is a natural space of six hectares considered a botanical lung of the city. It is a popular place for walking, exercising, and enjoying family time, known for its rich Mediterranean flora and diverse fauna, especially birds and reptiles. Historically, the park was an agricultural farm used to experiment with species suitable for cultivation in the protectorate. Although it has undergone changes over time, the park remains an important space for biodiversity conservation.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
It was inaugurated in 1992 in honor of Agustín Jerez Rodríguez. Covering an area of half a hectare, it is known for its collection of Canary palm trees, date palms, and washingtonias. The Canary palms, considered a unique heritage of the city, have high ornamental value and are threatened by the red palm weevil, an invasive species. In addition to its flora, the park is home to wildlife such as black starlings and common starlings.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Inaugurated in 2006, they span 0.6 hectares near the mouth of the Río de Oro. The park features rows of Canary palm trees, fountains with lighting effects, and a variety of plants such as cacti, succulents, and agaves. A central fountain with a sculpture of a woman who is half human and half mermaid stands out, illuminated at night, making it a visual attraction both during the day and at night.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Excavations at the Governor's House have uncovered significant archaeological remains since the early 20th century, revealing an occupation dating back to the 7th century BC in Melilla La Vieja. Over the years, various teams have worked in the area, highlighting discoveries such as houses from the 2nd century and 1st century BC associated with the ancient Phoenician city of Rusaddir. Additionally, other important sites have been discovered, such as Huerta de Reyes, with remains from the Iberomaurusian population, and the Chafarinas Islands, with traces from the 5th millennium BC. Rusaddir was a key port in the region and underwent various phases of occupation, including the Roman rule. Despite the current abandonment and deterioration of some remains, there are plans to restore the site as part of a restoration project for the former Military Government building.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The dome of the Chapel of Santiago, built in the mid-16th century by Miguel de Perea with help from Sancho de Escalante, is a rare instance of Gothic architecture in the African continent.Template:Sfn
Parallel to the urban development of Melilla in the early 20th century, the new architectural style of modernismo (irradiated from Barcelona and associated to the bourgeois class) was imported to the city, granting it a modernista architectural character, primarily through the works of the prolific Catalan architect Enrique Nieto.Template:Sfn
Accordingly, Melilla has the second most important concentration of Modernista works in Spain after Barcelona, Mainly concentrated in the city's ensanche.Template:Sfn Nieto was in charge of designing the main Synagogue, the Central Mosque and various Catholic Churches.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Also notable are sculptural elements, such as those erected to commemorate the heroes of the campaigns in Morocco: Monumento a los Héroes de Taxdirt (1910) and the Monumento a los Héroes y Mártires de las Campañas (1927-1931), those from the Francoist regime, like the Monumento a los Héroes de España (1941) or the Statue of Francisco Franco and other contemporary pieces, Homenaje al Modernismo Melillense, Monumento a Pedro de Estopiñán y Virués, Encuentros, and Homenaje a Fernando Arrabal.
The painting of Melilla has been strongly influenced by its multicultural environment, with a variety of artistic styles. Notable among its artists is Eduardo Morillas, renowned for his connection to the city's history and landscape, capturing the light, colours, and modernist architecture of Melilla. His work blends contemporary art with local traditions, contributing to the recognition of Melilla as an artistic hub. Also noteworthy is the work of Carlos Baeza, particularly his series La Ciudad de las Cúpulas, which highlights the modernist architecture. Furthermore, the Museum of Contemporary Art houses a representative collection of the city's artistic evolution by Victorio Manchón.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In Melilla, there are several museums including the Melilla Museum, located in the Almacenes de las Peñuelas, the Archaeological and Historical Museum and the Sephardic and Berber Museum, the Melilla Military Museum, at the Baluarte de la Concepción Alta, the Sacred Art Museum with access to the Conventico Caves, the Museo Casa del Reloj, at the Torre de la Vela, the Museum of Arts and Popular Traditions of Melilla, at the Association of Melilla Studies, the Gaselec Electricity Museum, the Melilla Automobile Museum.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
The History, Archaeology, and Ethnography Museum of Melilla, located in the Almacenes de las Peñuelas, is divided into two main sections: one dedicated to the cultures of the gypsy, Sephardic, and Amazigh peoples, and the other to the history of the city from prehistory to the modern era. Its origins date back to the 20th century, with the collection of archaeological pieces, and it has changed locations several times before settling into its current site in 2011. Among its collections are objects from the Berber, Sephardic, and Gypsy cultures, as well as archaeological findings like Carthaginian and Nasrid coins, and a model of Melilla La Vieja.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The Military Museum of Melilla, inaugurated in 1997, is located in the Baluarte de la Concepción Alta in Melilla La Vieja. It originated from an exhibition on military history held during the city's Fifth Centennial, and its collection includes military uniforms, models, dioramas, an Enigma machine, and a saddle of Queen Isabel II. It also features cannons and mortars on its artillery platforms, along with temporary exhibits in its upper gallery.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The Sacred Art Museum of Melilla, located in the former Franciscan Convent in the First Walled Enclosure of Melilla La Vieja, was created with the collaboration of the City of Melilla, the Diocese of Málaga, the Episcopal Vicariate of Melilla, the city's brotherhoods and fraternities, and the Melilla Monumental Foundation. The museum also provides access to the Conventico Caves. Among its notable pieces is the Custodia del Sol.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The Clock House Museum of Melilla, located in the Tower of the Vela, in the First Walled Enclosure of Melilla La Vieja, was established through the donation of part of the collection of the Almerian artist Andrés García Ibáñez to the City of Melilla. It also showcases part of his own art collection.
The museum has six rooms covering various periods, starting from the 18th century, and presents styles such as 19th-century Realism, New Figuration, and Spanish Photographic Documentarism. It also features sculptures by artists like Juan López, Emilio Manescau Baccarelli, Félix Alonso, and Mustafa Arruf, as well as paintings by Vicente Maeso Cayuela, Victorio Manchón, Carlos Monserrate, Eduardo Morillas, and Francisco Hernández.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The Egyptian Museum of Melilla is a museum dedicated to Egyptian art located in the Spanish city of Melilla. Opened in 2021, it is one of only two Egyptian art museums in Spain, alongside the one in Barcelona. The museum is spread over three floors, where various collections related to Ancient Egyptian civilization are displayed, including pieces of great historical and cultural value. This space offers a detailed view of Egyptian history, culture, and art, making it an important cultural reference in the city.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The Gaselec Electricity and Industry Museum was founded in 1997 by Gustavo Cabanillas, president of the Hispano-Moroccan Gas and Electricity Company, renamed in 2003 as Melillense de Gas y Electricidad (GASELEC). In 2004, the museum was integrated into the Gaselec Foundation.
The museum consists of several sections: the Technical Room and Warehouse, the Office, which displays early 20th-century furniture, and the Industry Museum, which shows the company's forging process.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The Automobile Museum of Melilla is open by appointment only. It was created by collector Miguel Ángel Hernández, who had a great interest in cars since 1970, with the collaboration of historian Juan Díez Sánchez and other contributors such as José Nieto Egea, José Miguel Fernández, and Federico Navajas.
The museum houses an exhibition of 35 cars, 12 motorcycles, and 2 with sidecars, showcasing an important collection of historic vehicles.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The Fossils and Minerals Museum is an institution dedicated to the exhibition and study of fossils and minerals, located at the "Ingeniero Ramón Gavilán" Nature Interpretation Center in Melilla. Opened in 2015, it houses a collection of approximately 130 specimens, including marine animal fossils, invertebrates, and vertebrates such as shark teeth and other notable examples.
The museum offers educational activities such as workshops and guided tours, and has been awarded the UNE-EN ISO 9001:2015 quality certification. It is currently undergoing expansion, with projects including the creation of a Petrology Hall and a Natural Science Museum of Melilla.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The exhibition halls at the Hospital del Rey of the Gaselec Foundation, the Vicente Manchón at the Federico García Lorca Cultural Center, and the Royal Maritime Club of Melilla.
Historical Archive of Melilla: Contains documentary holdings including notarial protocols from the War Notary Offices of the Melilla, Vélez de la Gomera, Alhucemas, and Chafarinas Islands, mostly dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
General Archive of Melilla: Created in 2012, its mission is to preserve, safeguard, and provide access to the city's documentary holdings for future use.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Military Intermediate Archive of Melilla: Contains over 4000 units of installation, with records spanning from the 18th century to the present day.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Ecclesiastical Archives of Melilla: Contains documentary holdings from various parishes in the city.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In Melilla, there is the Theatre Kursaal-Fernando Arrabal, under the Ministry of Culture of the Autonomous City of Melilla, and the Exhibition and Congress Palace, under the Melilla Tourism Board, which hosts the main theater, dance, musical performances, and shows in the city. The Perelló Theater-Cinema is the only commercial cinema in Melilla, operating since 1932. In the summer, concerts are held in Melilla la Vieja, the Carvajal Auditorium, and the fairgrounds, featuring both national and international artists. Throughout the year, there is a lot of activity from local musical groups, mainly in private venues and bars.
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The Melilla Film Week is an annual film festival held in the autonomous city of Melilla, Spain. First organized in 2009, it is coordinated by the Department of Culture of the Autonomous City, with the aim of promoting cinema and audiovisual culture in the region.
Each edition takes place in May and features a program including national and international feature films, short films, and children’s cinema. Screenings are mainly held at the Theatre Kursaal-Fernando Arrabal and the Perelló Cinema-Theatre.
The festival also hosts parallel events such as panel discussions, presentations, and concerts. One of its main awards is the José Sacristán Prize (formerly “Ciudad de Melilla Prize”), which honors prominent figures in Spanish cinema.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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The Route of the Temples is a tourist circuit visiting Melilla’s main places of worship, reflecting the city's religious diversity. It begins at the Church of the Purísima Concepción (1657), a building in late Romanesque and Baroque styles, dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary. The route continues to the Or Zaruah Synagogue (1924), a modernist building representing the Jewish community. Next is the Hindu Temple of Melilla, also modernist in style, showcasing the city’s Hindu tradition. The tour ends at the Central Mosque of Melilla (1950), a key site for Muslim worship.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The Renaissance Market of Charles V is an annual cultural event held in Melilla that aims to recreate the atmosphere of the 16th century and promote the city’s historical heritage. Launched in 2016, it takes place in Melilla la Vieja, transforming the old town into a Renaissance-themed market.
The event includes over 60 stalls selling crafts and period-style food, along with live performances, theater acts, fencing displays, music, and interactive activities. The market is divided into themed areas representing different cultures such as Castilian, Amazigh, Sephardic, and Indo-Gypsy.
The market attracts thousands of visitors each year, promoting cultural tourism and boosting the local economy. It is usually held in June, with the next edition scheduled for 2025.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
This is a cultural event held on summer nights, offering open-air concerts in emblematic locations across the city. Featuring a variety of music genres—from classical to flamenco—the event is open to all audiences and includes both local and international performers. It promotes arts and culture and is one of the city’s major summer attractions.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The Melilla Jazz Days is an annual event dedicated to jazz music, featuring concerts by both national and international musicians at various venues across the city. The festival showcases a wide range of jazz styles, from traditional to contemporary, and encourages participation by local artists. In addition to concerts, it includes educational activities such as workshops and masterclasses. This event enhances the cultural and touristic appeal of Melilla, positioning it as a notable destination for music lovers.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The Singer-Songwriter Contest of Melilla is an annual event that promotes original music, offering emerging singer-songwriters—both local and from outside—the chance to showcase their original compositions. The contest supports local culture and provides visibility for new talent, with prizes that include recordings and concert opportunities. It has also become a significant cultural meeting point, featuring additional activities that enrich the musical experience.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Christmas: The public holidays are Christmas (December 25), New Year's Eve (December 31), New Year's Day (January 1), and the celebration of the Three Kings (January 6).
During the celebration of the Melilla Fair in September, the streets are transformed into traditional symbols of Spanish culture and history, with sweet wine, tapas, and live flamenco shows. The day events consist of dancing, live music (such as flamenco) and bullfights at Plaza de Toros de Melilla, while the night fair is moved to the Recinto Ferial, consisting of restaurants, clubs, and an entire fair ground with rides and games.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Holy Week in Melilla is one of the city’s main religious festivities, celebrated with deep-rooted tradition and strong popular participation. Its documented origins date back to 1498, with the procession of the Christ of the True Cross (Cristo de la Vera Cruz), currently under the care of the Cofradía del Nazareno, the oldest brotherhood in the city.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
During Holy Week, five brotherhoods — Flagelación, Nazareno, Jesús Cautivo, Soledad, and Humillado — organize processions from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, passing through the streets of both the historic center and the modern parts of the city.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
One of the most significant events is the Lamentation of Christ procession, held on Good Friday. It is considered the official station of penance and is attended by both civil and military authorities. Another distinctive tradition is the presence of women wearing black mantillas, a symbol of respect and solemn reflection.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Melilla Day is celebrated on September 17th, commemorating the incorporation of the city into the Crown of Castile in 1497. During this festivity, commemorative events and official ceremonies are held.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The Festivity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is celebrated on July 16 and consists of a land procession followed by a maritime procession of images under the invocation of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, patron saint of sailors. One of the images, the "Virgen del Carmen Coronada del Perchel", goes out on the Sunday following her feast day, starting in the morning heading towards the Church of San Agustín, and returning in the afternoon after being embarked at the Port of Melilla and later processed back to the temple.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The last weekend of June marks the celebration of the Carlos V Renaissance Market, a festival held in Melilla La Vieja, recreating a medieval market for three days.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The city has an extensive network of sports centers managed by the Department of Education, Youth, and Sports, many of which are operated by private companies under administrative concession. Many of these centers offer a variety of sports activities such as swimming and provide access to the rental of indoor pavilions, multi-sport courts, fields, fitness rooms, and sports campuses.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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The Álvarez Claro Municipal Stadium is Melilla’s main sports venue and home to the UD Melilla. It was inaugurated on September 29, 1945, by then-mayor Rafael Álvarez Claro, after whom the stadium is named. It has a capacity of 10,000 spectators.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
It was inaugurated on February 17, 1995, as the Ciudad de Melilla Sports Pavilion. In 2007, it was renamed in honor of Melilla-born coach Javier Imbroda, a key figure in Spanish basketball and runner-up in the Liga ACB with CB Málaga in the 1993–94 season.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The pavilion has hosted major sporting events, including three editions of the Copa Princesa de Asturias and three Liga ACB playoff finals. In 2025, improvements to the climate control system were announced following high temperatures recorded during events such as the 1st Javier Imbroda Memorial, held in August 2024.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The General Bañuls Sociocultural Sports Center was founded in 1914 as the Melilla Equestrian Society. It was recognized as the Royal Equestrian Society by Alfonso XIII of Spain in 1920 and adopted its current name in 2014, in honor of General Francisco Bañuls.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The center offers a wide variety of sports and cultural activities, with a focus on its equestrian, tennis, and paddle tennis schools, along with modern facilities. It has hosted numerous tournaments and social events over the years.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Among its most notable alumni is tennis player Feliciano López, who trained at the center during his time in Melilla between the ages of 5 and 12, taking his first steps in tennis before beginning his successful professional career.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
The Royal Maritime Club of Melilla (RCMM) is a nautical organization founded on March 6, 1944, as the Maritime Club of Melilla. It was officially inaugurated on August 13, 1944, and received the "Royal" designation from King Juan Carlos I of Spain in 2006. It has more than 6,000 members.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The RCMM excels in sports, especially sailing, organizing the Melilla Nautical Week since 1997, and has a strong basketball section with 18 teams. It also offers a wide range of facilities and activities, including a nautical activity area, swimming pool, gym, pétanque court, sauna, restaurant, café, and exhibition hall.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Culturally, the club organizes the Cultural Days, focused on maritime themes, along with other social and educational activities.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Melilla also features several football and seven-a-side football fields, a motocross track, a radio-controlled car circuit, paddle tennis and pétanque clubs, the El Fuerte sports club, Melilla’s golf course, Lázaro Fernández and García Pezzi sports pavilions, municipal swimming pools, and Álvarez Claro courts.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Template:MainClub Melilla Baloncesto is the main basketball team in the city. Founded in 1984, the team competes in LEB Oro, the second tier of Spanish basketball, just below the ACB League. Melilla Baloncesto has been a competitive team within this league, having played several promotion phases to the ACB over the years. The team plays its home games at the Pabellón Municipal de Deportes Javier Imbroda, which has a capacity of around 5,000 spectators. This pavilion is the heart of the Melilla fanbase, who passionately support the local team at every game. Although the club has not yet achieved promotion to the ACB, it has been a constant contender in the LEB Oro, regularly participating in the playoffs and demonstrating a high level of play. Additionally, Melilla Baloncesto has been successful in developing young players and providing a platform for talents who have later excelled in other competitions. Similar to football, matchups against other LEB Oro teams, such as Club Ourense Baloncesto or Cáceres Ciudad del Baloncesto, often generate significant excitement due to the rivalry and the competitive nature of both clubs in the league.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The African Race of the Legion (Carrera Africana de la Legión) is an endurance competition held annually in Melilla, organized by the 1st Tercio “Gran Capitán” of the Spanish Legion. It includes several categories: a 50 km foot race, a 25 km march, mountain biking (BTT), and electric bike race (75 km), along with a children's version known as the MiniAfricana.
The route crosses natural landscapes, beaches, and the historic city center, and is known for its physical demands and scenic appeal. Participation is limited to 3,500 athletes, and the event features refreshment stations, medical support, and side activities such as the traditional African Dinner. It is considered one of the most emblematic sporting events in the city and a symbol of the connection between athletics and Legion values.<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead link</ref>
The Melilla Sailing Week (Semana Náutica de Melilla) is an annual event held in August at the Noray Marina, organized by the Royal Maritime Club of Melilla. It combines competitive sailing events—such as dinghy and offshore regattas—with recreational, cultural, and educational activities.
The event features the highlight Two Continents Offshore Regatta, linking Melilla with Motril. In addition, it includes workshops, guided tours, concerts, and family-friendly activities under the motto “A Sea Without Barriers,” promoting inclusion and universal access to nautical sports. It is a key event for sports tourism and the cultural life of the city.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The traditional women's outfit of Melilla has a relatively recent history, dating back to 1994 when Joaquín Callejón and Diego Piñero designed the regional attire that would be worn by the Melilla contestant in the Miss Spain competition. The outfit was meant to represent the four cultures present in the city, be blue (like the flag of Melilla), and incorporate typical elements. Fishing nets with white madroños were included in the skirt, floral embroidery on the apron and sleeves, and details such as organza, representing Berber and Hindu influences. The fringes of the neckline formed the Star of David, symbolizing Jewish culture. The design was later adapted into a male version for Mister Melilla.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The importance of bullfighting in Melilla dates back to 1946, the year of the first bullfight in the city, when the construction of the Melilla Bullring was still unfinished. The official inauguration of the bullring took place a year later.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The traditional cuisine of Melilla is very diverse. It is part of the Mediterranean diet, based on olive oil, cereals, legumes, vegetables, fish, nuts, and meat, as well as a long-standing tradition of wine consumption. Additionally, it has a unique blend of Spanish, Riffian, Andalusian, Maghrebi, and Sephardic influences, resulting in a rich and varied cuisine full of intense flavours and traditions from different cultures. Some of the most representative dishes of Melilla are:
Chebakia: A traditional Maghrebi sweet, made of fried dough soaked in honey and sprinkled with sesame seeds.
Cortadillo: A Spanish sweet, similar to sponge cake, made with flour, sugar, and oil.
Maghrebi mint tea: A refreshing drink, very popular in the Riffian region, typically enjoyed after meals.
This culinary diversity reflects the rich cultural heritage of Melilla, blending ingredients and techniques from both Mediterranean and African cuisines.
In addition to the national newspapers, there are two local newspapers: Melilla Hoy<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and El Faro.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
All national television channels are broadcast, including the public Andalusian channel, Canal Sur Televisión. The city also has two local channels, Televisión Melilla<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Popular TV,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> as well as a studio of Radio Televisión Española, which broadcasts news.
All national radio stations can be tuned in, which have local editions, including COPE,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Onda Cero,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and others.
With the spread of the internet and social media, several media outlets and portals emerged, of which only MelillaMedia remains,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> which is dependent on the autonomous city.
In October 2022, a personal documentary archive of digital files with open access about Melilla and the Rif region in northern Morocco was launched, offering abundant material for researchers or students.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The ISO 3166-1 standard reserves the extension EA as the country code for Ceuta and Melilla. The call sign used by amateur radio operators in these two cities is EA9, and each is considered a separate "entity."
The titles, honors, and decorations officially awarded by the City Council of Melilla, in order to recognize special merits, notable benefits, or extraordinary services, are as follows: the title of Favored Son or Adoptive Child of Melilla, the Medal of Honor of Melilla, and the Medal of the City of Melilla in its three categories: Gold, Silver, and Bronze.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The defence of the enclave is the responsibility of the Spanish Armed Forces' General Command of Melilla.<ref name="auto">Template:Cite web</ref> The Spanish Army's combat components of the command include:
Melilla forms a sort of trans-border urban conurbation with limited integration together with the neighbouring Moroccan settlements, located at one of the ends of a linear succession of urban sprawl spanning southward in Morocco along the R19 road from Beni Ensar down to Nador and Selouane.Template:Sfn The urban system features a high degree of hierarchization, specialization and division of labour, with Melilla as chief provider of services, finance and trade; Nador as an eminently industrial city whereas the rest of Moroccan settlements found themselves in a subordinate role, presenting agro-town features and operating as providers of workforce.Template:Sfn
The asymmetry, as reflected for example in the provision of healthcare, has fostered situations such as the large-scale use of the Melillan health services by Moroccan citizens, with Melilla attending a number of urgencies more than four times the standard for its population in 2018.Template:Sfn In order to satisfy the workforce needs of Melilla (mainly in areas such as domestic service, construction and cross-border bale workers, often under informal contracts), Moroccan inhabitants of the province of Nador were granted exemptions from visa requirements to enter the autonomous city.Template:Sfn This development in turn induced a strong flux of internal migration from other Moroccan provinces to Nador, in order to acquire the aforementioned exemption.Template:Sfn
Following the increasing influx of Algerian and sub-Saharan irregular migrants into Ceuta and Melilla in the early 1990s,Template:Sfn a process of border fortification in both cities ensued after 1995 to reduce the border's permeability,<ref name=ser>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> a target attained to some degree by 1999,Template:Sfn although peak level of fortification was reached in 2005.<ref name=ser />
Melilla's border with Morocco is secured by the Melilla border fence, a Template:Convert tall double fence with watch towers; yet migrants (in groups of tens or sometimes hundreds) storm the fence and manage to cross it from time to time.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Since 2005, at least 14 migrants have died trying to cross the fence.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Melilla migrant reception centre was built with a capacity of 480.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2020 works to remove the barbed wire from the top of the fence (meanwhile raising its height up to more than Template:Convert in the stretches most susceptible to breaches) were commissioned to Template:Ill.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In June 2022, at least 23 sub-Saharan migrants and two Moroccan security personnel were killed when around 2,000 migrants stormed the border. The death toll has been estimated to be as high as 37 by certain NGOs.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Around 200 Spanish and Moroccan law enforcement officers and at least 76 migrants were injured. Hundreds of migrants succeeded in breaching the fence, and 133 made it across the border.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Widely circulated footage showed dozens of motionless migrants piled together.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> It was the worst such incident in Melilla's history.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The United Nations, the African Union and a number of human rights groups condemned what they deemed excessive force used by Moroccan and Spanish border guards, although no lethal weapons were employed, and the deaths were later attributed to "mechanical asphyxiation".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Morocco has been paid tens of million euros by both Spain and the European Union to outsource the EU migration control.<ref name=publico>Template:Cite web</ref> Besides the double fence in the Spanish side of the border, there is an additional Template:Convert high fence entirely made of razor wire lying on the Moroccan side as well as a moat in between.<ref name=publico />
The Moroccan government has repeatedly called for Spain to transfer the sovereignty of Melilla, Ceuta and the plazas de soberanía to Morocco, with Spain's refusal to do so serving as a major source of tension in Morocco–Spain relations. In Morocco, Ceuta is frequently referred to as the "occupied Sebtah", and the Moroccan government has argued that the city, along with other Spanish territories in the region, are colonies.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> One of the major arguments used by Morocco in their attempts to acquire sovereignty over Melilla refers to the geographical position of the city, as Melilla is an exclave surrounded by Moroccan territory and the Mediterranean Sea and has no territorial continuity with the rest of Spain.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> This argument was originally developed by one of the founders of the Moroccan Istiqlal Party, Alal-El Faasi, who openly advocated for Morocco to invade and occupy Melilla and other North African territories under Spanish rule.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Spain, in line with the majority of nations in the rest of the world, has never recognized Morocco's claim over Melilla. The official position of the Spanish government is that Melilla is an integral part of Spain, and has been since the 16th century, centuries prior to Morocco's independence from Spain and France in 1956.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The majority of Melilla's population support continued Spanish sovereignty and are opposed to Moroccan control over the territory.<ref>Template:Cite thesis</ref>
In 1986, Spain joined NATO. However, Melilla is not under NATO protection since Article 6 of the North Atlantic Treaty limits such coverage to Europe and North America and islands north of the Tropic of Cancer. However, French Algeria was explicitly included in the treaty upon France's entry. Legal experts have claimed that other articles of the treaty could cover Spanish territories in North Africa but this interpretation has not been tested in practice.<ref name="Newtral">Template:Cite web</ref> During the 2022 Madrid summit, the issue of the protection of Melilla was raised by Spain, with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stating: "On which territories NATO protects and Ceuta and Melilla, NATO is there to protect all Allies against any threats. At the end of the day, it will always be a political decision to invoke Article 5, but rest assured NATO is there to protect and defend all Allies".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On 21 December 2020, following statements made by Moroccan Prime Minister Saadeddine Othmani that Melilla is "Moroccan as the Sahara", the Spanish government summoned the Moroccan ambassador, Karima Benyaich, to convey that Spain expects all its partners to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its territory in Africa and asked for an explanation for Othmani's words.<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:PbTemplate:Cite web</ref>
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