Day 8 - Casablanca  5/18/22

Morocco

Frank's Trip

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Casablanca...

I spent this day staying out of Medinas and Kasbahs - it was easy enough to get lost without those mazes!

The Hassan II Mosque was close to the hotel, so I walked there and did the tour - the only way to get inside. I'm not partial to tours as I prefer to go at my own pace, but sometimes they're good and provide good information and insight.

A taxi ride took me to the Mohammed V Square and from there I used Goggle Maps and shoe leather to get me everywhere else. A good walk! The weather was wonderful, though - on this day and every day I was in Morocco. Warm days - quite warm if walking in the sun. But there are usually shady places not too far away and usually with places to sit down and rest a moment. And always, everywhere I visited, cool breezes blowing. The nights were just on the edge of chilly, but sunrise quickly put paid to that.

Hassan II Mosque

The scale of the Hassan II Mosque is as overwhelming as its grandeur is inspiring. That it can accommodate 25,000 of the faithful at one time speaks to the sheer size. The Hassan II mosque dominates the entire city. Finished in 1993, it is the second largest mosque in the world, covering two hectares (almost 5 acres) in size with the world's tallest minaret - 200 meters high (over 650 feet).

Mohammed V Square

Place Mohamed V is the central plaza of Casablanca and is home to many of the city's important official buildings, including the main post office, Palace of Justice, Prefecture, French consulate, and the main Bank of Morocco.

The building facades all sport the neo-Moorish style (known as Mauresque) that French Resident-General Lyautey planned out for the city as he set about modernizing Casablanca in the early 20th century. The downtown district of Casablanca between Place Mohamed V and Boulevard Mohamed V is brimming with this style of architecture, which blends Art Deco and Art Nouveau with traditional Moroccan design.

The square itself is huge. And there are hundreds of pigeons walking around that seem to resent having to move as one walks through - nickname: 'Pigeon Square'. Naturally, there are people there to take advantage of the situation; they sell little bags of pigeon feed so anyone can participate in feeding the pigeons - which helps explain why there are so many pigeons there.

LEFT: In a shady corner of the square is a memorial to the victims of the terrorist attack of May 16, 2003

RIGHT: The Place D'Armes, built 1925, is currently a police headquarters. Pictures seem not to be allowed and an officer politely requested I delete my pictures and watched as I did so. Happily, the phone retains deleted pictures so they can later be retrieved.

Cinema Rialto

Cinema Rialto is considered a monument of the Art Deco architecture for which Casablanca is famous, and for that reason it still draws visitors. The cinema holds 1300 seats, of which 400 are on the characteristic mezzanine level. Despite the many renovations over the years, the building's architectural style is still considered entirely Art Deco. Construction was completed in 1929 according to the designs of the French architect Pierre Jabin.

Cinema Rialto is symbolic of a time when Casablanca was shaped by a culture of entertainment and recreation. The cinema hosted the premiers of international films and as well as performers such as Édith Piaf, Charles Aznavour, Dizzy Gillespie and others. In 1943, the American entertainer Josephine Baker even performed at the Rialto for American soldiers stationed in Morocco after Operation Torch in World War II.

Looking in through the windows it seemed obvious that the theater is unused and has been for a time. But it also has the look that with some work, it could get going again.

Cathedrale Sacre-Coeur / Sacred Heart Cathedral

The Sacré-Cœur Cathedral is an architectural masterpiece designed by the French architect Paul Tournon and built in 1930 in a Neo-Gothic style with Moroccan Muslim and Art Deco influences. Its two towers in front resemble minarets and the small windows on the upper part of the cathedral look very much like those on a mosque.

The cathedral and grounds was completely closed off and under what appears to be extensive construction work. I shot some pictures from outside and one of the workers was kind enough to allow me entry through the front fence to take a couple shots of the front of the building.

Beth-El Temple

The Temple Beth-El is a Jewish synagogue in Casablanca, Morocco. While the city boasts more than 30 synagogues, Beth-El is often considered the center piece of a once vibrant Jewish community. Its stained glass windows and other artistic elements, is what attracts tourists to this synagogue.

The Temple is very difficult to find. Google Maps will take you right to it... but it's difficult to know you are there because it is screened behind a fend with only a very small sign indicating it is there. I walked past and around it several times without realizing I was there and still searching for it. It is quite lovely inside and the small grounds are a peaceful haven. It is tended by an elderly Jewish man and one must tap on the gate to get his attention and have the gate opened for visitation.