Hamouda’s guidebook
Sightseeing
This flamboyant building was built at enormous expense to commemorate the former king's 60th birthday. Set on an outcrop jutting over the ocean and with a 210m-tall minaret that serves as the city's major landmark, it is a showcase of the very best Moroccan artisanship: hand-carved stone and wood, intricate marble flooring and inlay, gilded cedar ceilings and exquisite zellige (geometric mosaic tilework) abound. Multilanguage guided tours of the interior are conducted outside prayer times for modestly clad visitors.
The mosque is the largest in Africa and can accommodate 105,000 worshippers. Built and partially funded by King Hassan II (the remaining funds were gathered through a somewhat controversial public subscription process), the mosque complex was designed by French architect Michel Pinseau, took six years to build and was completed in 1993. Its dramatic location overhanging the ocean waves echoes verse from the Quran, which states that God’s throne was built upon the water. Believers pray on a centrally heated floor, and can see the Atlantic breaking over the rocks underneath the glass floor in the basement and feel the sunlight through the retractable roof.
The size and elaborate decoration of the prayer hall is simply spectacular. A team of more than 6000 master craftspeople was assembled to work on the mosque, delicately carving intricate patterns and designs in cedar from the Middle Atlas and pink granite from Agadir. The gates were made from brass and titanium, and the ablution fountains in the basement, which are shaped like huge lotus flowers, were carved from local marble.
To see the interior visitors must be ‘decently and respectfully dressed’ (knees and upper arms need to be covered); women do not require a headscarf. Hour-long tours are conducted in French, English, German and Spanish, and take in the prayer hall, subterranean ablutions rooms and never-used hammam.
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哈桑二世清真寺
Boulevard de la CornicheThis flamboyant building was built at enormous expense to commemorate the former king's 60th birthday. Set on an outcrop jutting over the ocean and with a 210m-tall minaret that serves as the city's major landmark, it is a showcase of the very best Moroccan artisanship: hand-carved stone and wood, intricate marble flooring and inlay, gilded cedar ceilings and exquisite zellige (geometric mosaic tilework) abound. Multilanguage guided tours of the interior are conducted outside prayer times for modestly clad visitors.
The mosque is the largest in Africa and can accommodate 105,000 worshippers. Built and partially funded by King Hassan II (the remaining funds were gathered through a somewhat controversial public subscription process), the mosque complex was designed by French architect Michel Pinseau, took six years to build and was completed in 1993. Its dramatic location overhanging the ocean waves echoes verse from the Quran, which states that God’s throne was built upon the water. Believers pray on a centrally heated floor, and can see the Atlantic breaking over the rocks underneath the glass floor in the basement and feel the sunlight through the retractable roof.
The size and elaborate decoration of the prayer hall is simply spectacular. A team of more than 6000 master craftspeople was assembled to work on the mosque, delicately carving intricate patterns and designs in cedar from the Middle Atlas and pink granite from Agadir. The gates were made from brass and titanium, and the ablution fountains in the basement, which are shaped like huge lotus flowers, were carved from local marble.
To see the interior visitors must be ‘decently and respectfully dressed’ (knees and upper arms need to be covered); women do not require a headscarf. Hour-long tours are conducted in French, English, German and Spanish, and take in the prayer hall, subterranean ablutions rooms and never-used hammam.
The only Jewish museum in the Arabic-speaking world, this institution is set in an attractive garden villa that once functioned as a Jewish orphanage. It traces the 2000-year history of Jews in Morocco, focusing on Casablanca's Jewish community (most of the country's Jews live here). The thoughtfully curated and well-labelled collection includes ornate clothing, traditional tools and ritual objects. Photographs usually feature in the temporary exhibition space, and there's a reconstructed 1930s synagogue from Larache in an adjoining room.
The museum is 1km from the Gare de l'Oasis tram stop. From the tram stop, walk down Route de l'Oasis past the train station and then turn right into Rue Abu Dhabi. Rue Chasseur Jules Gros is the sixth street to the left. A taxi from the city centre will cost Dh40, but note that most taxi drivers are unaware of the museum's existence so will need to be given directions. Also note that it is sensible to call ahead to check that the museum is open as it sometimes closes when the security situation is unsettled. Students are given free entry on Wednesdays.
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Jewish museum
81 Rue du chasseur Jules CrosThe only Jewish museum in the Arabic-speaking world, this institution is set in an attractive garden villa that once functioned as a Jewish orphanage. It traces the 2000-year history of Jews in Morocco, focusing on Casablanca's Jewish community (most of the country's Jews live here). The thoughtfully curated and well-labelled collection includes ornate clothing, traditional tools and ritual objects. Photographs usually feature in the temporary exhibition space, and there's a reconstructed 1930s synagogue from Larache in an adjoining room.
The museum is 1km from the Gare de l'Oasis tram stop. From the tram stop, walk down Route de l'Oasis past the train station and then turn right into Rue Abu Dhabi. Rue Chasseur Jules Gros is the sixth street to the left. A taxi from the city centre will cost Dh40, but note that most taxi drivers are unaware of the museum's existence so will need to be given directions. Also note that it is sensible to call ahead to check that the museum is open as it sometimes closes when the security situation is unsettled. Students are given free entry on Wednesdays.
An attractively presented house museum with a notable collection of Moroccan decorative arts, this privately established and operated institution occupies the former home of businessman Abderrahman Slaoui. The museum showcases his wonderful collection of Orientalist travel posters produced from the 1890s to the 1950s, as well as ceramics, inlaid furniture (including pieces designed by Marrakesh-based Louis Majorelle), ornate Berber jewellery encrusted with semi-precious stones and a stunning collection of ornate and richly coloured glass jewellery boxes and perfume flasks.
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Musée de la Fondation Abderrahman slaoui
12 Rue Du ParcAn attractively presented house museum with a notable collection of Moroccan decorative arts, this privately established and operated institution occupies the former home of businessman Abderrahman Slaoui. The museum showcases his wonderful collection of Orientalist travel posters produced from the 1890s to the 1950s, as well as ceramics, inlaid furniture (including pieces designed by Marrakesh-based Louis Majorelle), ornate Berber jewellery encrusted with semi-precious stones and a stunning collection of ornate and richly coloured glass jewellery boxes and perfume flasks.
Though lacking the medieval magic that characterises many Moroccan medinas, Casablanca’s compact 19th-century example is still worth a wander. You're unlikely to find treasures in its humdrum shops (hardware stores, pharmacies and shops selling cheap clothing and shoes predominate), but the crooked lanes, occasional tree-shaded square and well-frequented local cafes contribute to a generally pleasant atmosphere and make it a popular route for those walking between downtown Casablanca and the Hassan II Mosque.
The most heavily used entrances are through Bab Marrakech on Ave Tahar El Alaoui or through the gate next to the rebuilt clock tower at the northeast corner of Place des Nations Unies. The narrow lanes near these gates are where most shops are found; the rest of the medina remains largely residential.
On the north side of the medina, facing the port, you’ll see the last remains of Casablanca’s 18th-century fortifications. Known as the sqala, the bastion offers panoramic views over the sea.
Old Medina Clock Tower
Though lacking the medieval magic that characterises many Moroccan medinas, Casablanca’s compact 19th-century example is still worth a wander. You're unlikely to find treasures in its humdrum shops (hardware stores, pharmacies and shops selling cheap clothing and shoes predominate), but the crooked lanes, occasional tree-shaded square and well-frequented local cafes contribute to a generally pleasant atmosphere and make it a popular route for those walking between downtown Casablanca and the Hassan II Mosque.
The most heavily used entrances are through Bab Marrakech on Ave Tahar El Alaoui or through the gate next to the rebuilt clock tower at the northeast corner of Place des Nations Unies. The narrow lanes near these gates are where most shops are found; the rest of the medina remains largely residential.
On the north side of the medina, facing the port, you’ll see the last remains of Casablanca’s 18th-century fortifications. Known as the sqala, the bastion offers panoramic views over the sea.