Clock Tower and Medina Gate, Casablanca
Charles Martial Joseph Dessigny, it has been said, had a sort of obsession. He really liked towers. He was a military man, Army of France. He'd had served in Ain Sefra, in Algeria, where he had built a fine clock tower. When he was done with the artillery bombardment in Casablanca, he would build another tower, just like the one before.
He occupied Casablanca, took charge of the French department of public facilities and ordered the construction of the tower. He acted so fast the tower was completed before 1912, when the French Protectorate of Morocco became official. It was brilliant. A tower to rival the minarets, it signified the dawn of French power in Morocco.
The tower looked very like a minaret. It was square-based, like a minaret. It had four round clock faces with roman numerals. Over the years the tower became unstable. It was demolished in 1948. But not to worry. A duplicate tower was built nearby in 1993.
Walking through the old city between central Casablanca and the mosque of Hassan II, in the northeast corner of United Nations Square, discover the copy of Dessigny's beloved tower. Next to the tower is the Old Medina Gate. Most shops or stalls to be found will be close to the gate. The Medina has undergone much renovation and is now mainly residential.
He occupied Casablanca, took charge of the French department of public facilities and ordered the construction of the tower. He acted so fast the tower was completed before 1912, when the French Protectorate of Morocco became official. It was brilliant. A tower to rival the minarets, it signified the dawn of French power in Morocco.
The tower looked very like a minaret. It was square-based, like a minaret. It had four round clock faces with roman numerals. Over the years the tower became unstable. It was demolished in 1948. But not to worry. A duplicate tower was built nearby in 1993.
Walking through the old city between central Casablanca and the mosque of Hassan II, in the northeast corner of United Nations Square, discover the copy of Dessigny's beloved tower. Next to the tower is the Old Medina Gate. Most shops or stalls to be found will be close to the gate. The Medina has undergone much renovation and is now mainly residential.
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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Clock Tower and Medina Gate on Map
Sight Name: Clock Tower and Medina Gate
Sight Location: Casablanca, Morocco (See walking tours in Casablanca)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Casablanca, Morocco (See walking tours in Casablanca)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
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 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
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
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