Place Mohammed V (Mohammed V Square), Casablanca (must see)
Mohammed V Square in Casablanca is popularly referred to as "Pigeons' Square." It seems literally carpeted with pigeons. They never go away. Are they waiting for something?
The square is named for Mohammed V, celebrated former King of Morocco. It has had other names: Main Square, Square of France, Square of Victory, Administrative Square and Marshal Lyautey Square. The square is just south of the the old city, in an area once occupied by the barracks of French Colonial Troops.
The plan to build a square was formed by Henri Prost and Joseph Marrast in 1916. It was destined to be part of the new "European City." Hubert Lyautey, the Resident General, was dreaming of Place Stanislaus in his native city of Nancy, France. He wanted the Mohammed V Square to be like that.
New buildings went up around the square in the style of Moorish Revival so liked by architect Henri Proust. On the sides are: the Court House built in 1923; the Military Circle built in 1925; the Bank Al-Maghrib built in 1937; the Central Post Office built in 1920; the Wilaya Building built in 1937; and the French Consulate-General built in 1922.
The Grand Theatre of Casablanca by Christian de Portzamparc was built in 2020 and the large circular fountain, the "Pigeons' Fountain", was repositioned as the square was renovated and repaved.
The square is named for Mohammed V, celebrated former King of Morocco. It has had other names: Main Square, Square of France, Square of Victory, Administrative Square and Marshal Lyautey Square. The square is just south of the the old city, in an area once occupied by the barracks of French Colonial Troops.
The plan to build a square was formed by Henri Prost and Joseph Marrast in 1916. It was destined to be part of the new "European City." Hubert Lyautey, the Resident General, was dreaming of Place Stanislaus in his native city of Nancy, France. He wanted the Mohammed V Square to be like that.
New buildings went up around the square in the style of Moorish Revival so liked by architect Henri Proust. On the sides are: the Court House built in 1923; the Military Circle built in 1925; the Bank Al-Maghrib built in 1937; the Central Post Office built in 1920; the Wilaya Building built in 1937; and the French Consulate-General built in 1922.
The Grand Theatre of Casablanca by Christian de Portzamparc was built in 2020 and the large circular fountain, the "Pigeons' Fountain", was repositioned as the square was renovated and repaved.
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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Place Mohammed V (Mohammed V Square) on Map
Sight Name: Place Mohammed V (Mohammed V Square)
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 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
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