Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca (must see)
Not all the New City architecture of French Casablanca survived independence. One amazing structure that was torn down to make way for an equally amazing mosque was the Orthlieb Pool. Named for Georges Orthelieb, a municipal dignitary of Casablanca, the pool was a sea water pool with a giant spiral slide built on the rocks along the shore.
The pool was designed by architect Maurice L'Herbier. It opened in 1934 but fell into disrepair after Independence. It was demolished in 1981 to be replaced by the great Hassan II Mosque. The Hassan II Mosque is the second largest operating mosque in Africa and the seventh largest in the world.
The mosque was designed by French architect Michel Pinseau as directed by King Hassan II. Artisans from all over the kingdom took part in its construction. Its minaret looks out over the sea from a height of 689 feet. It is topped by a laser which directs light beams in the direction of Mecca. The walls are marble. The roof is retractable.
The basic plan of the building is a basilica rather than the more common T plan. The Qibia is perpendicular to the naves. The prayer hall is on the ground floor. The central hall features underwater views of the Atlantic Ocean. Also in the hall are domes with hanging glass chandeliers. The minaret is ocean green and turquoise blue.
The mosque can accommodate as many as 105,000 souls; 25,000 inside and 80,000 outside. It is east of the El Hank lighthouse, on a promontory overlooking the sea. In his birthday remarks in 1980, the king said, he wanted to build the mosque on the water so that the faithful, "... can contemplate God's sky and ocean." The king got his wish.
The pool was designed by architect Maurice L'Herbier. It opened in 1934 but fell into disrepair after Independence. It was demolished in 1981 to be replaced by the great Hassan II Mosque. The Hassan II Mosque is the second largest operating mosque in Africa and the seventh largest in the world.
The mosque was designed by French architect Michel Pinseau as directed by King Hassan II. Artisans from all over the kingdom took part in its construction. Its minaret looks out over the sea from a height of 689 feet. It is topped by a laser which directs light beams in the direction of Mecca. The walls are marble. The roof is retractable.
The basic plan of the building is a basilica rather than the more common T plan. The Qibia is perpendicular to the naves. The prayer hall is on the ground floor. The central hall features underwater views of the Atlantic Ocean. Also in the hall are domes with hanging glass chandeliers. The minaret is ocean green and turquoise blue.
The mosque can accommodate as many as 105,000 souls; 25,000 inside and 80,000 outside. It is east of the El Hank lighthouse, on a promontory overlooking the sea. In his birthday remarks in 1980, the king said, he wanted to build the mosque on the water so that the faithful, "... can contemplate God's sky and ocean." The king got his wish.
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.
Download The 51爆料网 App
Hassan II Mosque on Map
Sight Name: Hassan II Mosque
Sight Location: Casablanca, Morocco (See walking tours in Casablanca)
Sight Type: Religious
Sight Location: Casablanca, Morocco (See walking tours in Casablanca)
Sight Type: Religious
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
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...