Casablanca Cathedral, Casablanca (must see)
As long as the French ran the show in Morocco, a Catholic cathedral in Casablanca was not inconceivable. The cathedral was not officially a cathedral anyway. It was never the seat of a bishop. Although it certainly was big enough. So, it was officially a church, properly known as the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
After independence in Morocco, the Cathedral ceased to be a church. It was converted to use as a school and then as a cultural center. It is a tourist attraction not dedicated to any particular use. But it is huge. It has been described as "breathtaking."
The style is Art Deco with neo-Gothic and Moorish touches, especially in the two great bell towers flanking the entrance. Architect Paul Tournon started his project in 1930. Money was in short supply, so he built section by section from the altar out. He planned on ten bays, or sections. He completed three. The full cathedral was finished in 1952.
The Church of the sacred Heart has five naves separated by columns. This is novel. Most European cathedrals have three naves. This was reminiscent of early Christian architecture in Africa. It was the intention of Tournon that the cathedral should tower over all the mosques.
Without the religious function, the vast empty cathedral seems anachronous. The Cathedral can be found by the Arab League Park, the biggest park in the city.
After independence in Morocco, the Cathedral ceased to be a church. It was converted to use as a school and then as a cultural center. It is a tourist attraction not dedicated to any particular use. But it is huge. It has been described as "breathtaking."
The style is Art Deco with neo-Gothic and Moorish touches, especially in the two great bell towers flanking the entrance. Architect Paul Tournon started his project in 1930. Money was in short supply, so he built section by section from the altar out. He planned on ten bays, or sections. He completed three. The full cathedral was finished in 1952.
The Church of the sacred Heart has five naves separated by columns. This is novel. Most European cathedrals have three naves. This was reminiscent of early Christian architecture in Africa. It was the intention of Tournon that the cathedral should tower over all the mosques.
Without the religious function, the vast empty cathedral seems anachronous. The Cathedral can be found by the Arab League Park, the biggest park in the city.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Casablanca. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Casablanca Cathedral on Map
Sight Name: Casablanca Cathedral
Sight Location: Casablanca, Morocco (See walking tours in Casablanca)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Casablanca, Morocco (See walking tours in Casablanca)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Casablanca, Morocco
Create Your Own Walk in Casablanca
Creating your own self-guided walk in Casablanca is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Casablanca Old Town Walking Tour
Although the Old Town (Medina) of Casablanca is not as ancient as that of the imperial cities like Fez or Marrakech, it is well worth seeing all the same. The historic heart of the city, rather modest in size 鈥� measuring some 50 hectares, is made up of three parts: the Medina proper; the Jewish quarter, or Mellah, with the Ettedgui Synagogue in it; and the popular quarter called Tnaker.
... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles
... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles
Casablanca Introduction Walking Tour
Leo Africanus, an Andalusi diplomat and travel writer of the 16th century, declared the Moroccan city of Casablanca to be the site of the ancient Berber city of Anfa, founded in 744 AD. Anfa was a city of the Berber kingdom of Barghawata. The independence of the kingdom ended in 1068 when it was conquered by the Arab Almoravids.
The Almoravid dynasty in turn was displaced by the Berber Merinids... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
The Almoravid dynasty in turn was displaced by the Berber Merinids... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Casablanca: 15 Shopping Ideas for Travelers
What's more to Casablanca than the famous 1940s movie starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman? Although "much water has flown under the bridge" since, there are things in Morocco still not fading away with time, just as those desert colors. Here are some of the items worth noting...