Casablanca

Hassan II mosque:

The works on this modern mosque started on July 12, 1986; six thousand traditional Moroccan artisans worked for six years to process all these raw materials into mosaics, stones, marble floors, pillars, carvings and painted ceilings.

All granite, plaster, marble, wood and other materials used in the complex come from all regions of Morocco, with the exception of some white granite columns and the glass chandeliers: both come from Italy. 

It is the largest mosque in the country and is one of the 7 largest mosques in the world. The mosque is built on land that is extracted from the sea and half of the mosque extends over the sea. This was inspired by a verse from the Koran that speaks about the throne of God, built above the water. A part of the floor of the complex is made of glass, so that the praying believers (up to 25,000) kneel directly above the water.

At night, there are spotlights at the top of the minaret that shine in the direction of Mecca. In addition to these - especially - religiously inspired requirements of the client king Hassan II, there are more modern features: the building is designed to withstand earthquakes, the doors are electrically controlled and the complex has a retractable roof. The mosque has clear Moorish influences and the architecture corresponds to the Alhambra and the Mezquita in Spain.

The Hassan II Mosque, together with the historic Tin Malmosque, is the only mosque in Morocco that is open to non-Muslims. Outside there is room for another 85,000 believers. Entrance is 120 Dinar.

Other attractions:

The old historic city of the Casablanca metropolis gives you an idea of how small and insignificant this city was before the French made it a real (modern) city. You can take a look for example at the clock tower or at the Cleuh mosque. On the north side of the Medina it is almost obligatory to visit Rick's café - the place where the film Casablanca largely takes place.

On the first floor you can watch the film in repetition while you can enjoy lunch and in the evening a romantic dinner (see eating & drinking). Finally, you can visit the Habous quarter. This district was created by the French in the old Moroccan style - narrow streets, alleys and is a mix between a ville nouvell" and a medina.

The Royal Palace that stands here is unfortunately closed to the public but you can go to the old Mahakma du Pasha (free entrance). This court with reception has about 60 rooms with decoded ceilings and woodwork. 

Other attractions:

• The Jewish museum of Casablanca.

On the site of the current Casablanca once was the Berber settlement Anfa. The city would keep this name until the 16th century, after which it became known under its current name. The old name remains the name for the old, original part of Casablanca. It is the most prosperous, westernized part of the city. It is almost certain that the Phoenicians trade for years in the waters in and around Casablanca, although there is no evidence for this.

In response to the arrival of the Islamic armies, an independent Berber kingdom arose around the city in the 7th century, which continued to oppose Islamic influences. This small kingdom of the "Barghawata" survived until it was conquered by the Almoravids in the 11th century. In the 14th century, Anfa (Casablanca) was developed by the Merinides into an important port city. From the 15th century it became independent again and the city became a hotbed of pirates.

For this reason the Portuguese collected 10,000 soldiers and 50 ships in 1468; the city was totally destroyed. In 1515, the Portuguese rebuilt the city under the name Casa Branca (the white house). These remained until 1755 when they left the city after an earthquake. It was rebuilt by Sultan Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah as Dar el-Beida but it would lose its old, important grandeur. In the middle of the 19th century, Europe was craving for grain and wool, and Morocco was once again a trade resort. The Spaniards were given the right to establish a commercial center, and gave it its current name, Casablanca. 

It was not all hallelujah; friction between the local residents and the greedy Europeans resulted in a bombardment of the city by the French who had been allowed to build an unnatural port here. A fierce battle began for power in the city with the French as the winner who began to colonize the city and country. It was after the French colonization from 1912 that Casablanca outdid other Moroccan cities like Fez and Marrakech: Rabat became capital, and the axis Rabat-Casablanca was strongly developed by the French.

Casablanca became the most important trading city in the country and the most important place for European establishment. In January 1943, the Casablanca Conference was held in Casablanca, an important meeting in which Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Winston Churchill agreed that only the complete surrender of Nazi Germany would be accepted as the end of WW2.

The war conference of Casablanca: