2 3 Casablanca SPAIN MEDITERRANEAN SEA Saïdia Rabat ATLANTIC OCEAN 5 Editorial Zagora 6 A city with the ocean on its doorstep 8 A city of the future ALGERIA CANARY ISLANDS 10 The Hassan II Mosque 12 Casablanca, a happening city 16 Experiencing the city 18 Activities in the city 20 Casablanca, seaside resort 22 The Casablanca region 26 Information and useful addresses MAURITANIA 4 5 Editorial Casablanca, an exhilarating megalopolis The sun is scarcely above the horizon and Casablanca is already waking up. Little red taxis play dodgems at the feet of the white city’s ultra-modern buildings. There is no escaping the allure of its grandeur, its pure energy, and all of a sudden we ourselves are imbued with the same heady dynamism. Casablanca, economic heart of the Kingdom, lives at a frenetic pace. Business and art go side by side here, often intermingling. It is here, above all, that tones and trends are set. Why is it that so many artists have found their inspiration in Casablanca? Perhaps the contrasting curves of its Art Deco buildings are enough to cast a spell over them. The richness of the city’s architectural heritage is sufficient in itself to call forth the image of a city where time has no hold. Charged with In Casablanca, modern history yet resolutely turned towards the future, this most cosmopolitan of cities, buildings stand side where every nationality is represented, parades its modernity for all to see. by side with Arab-An- dalusian architecture and Art Deco creations Morocco’s economic nerve centre and keeper of a unique historical heritage, from the 1920s Casablanca reveals all of its many faces to us. 6 7 A city with the ocean on its doorstep No historian has ever been able to fi- decision to build the Kingdom’s first nally determine who it was that foun- major modern port at Casablanca was ded the town of Anfa that was even- taken in 1912. During the Second tually to become Casablanca. Some World War, the port was to take on claim that it was founded in Roman considerable strategic importance. times, while others point to the Phoe- nicians or the Zenete Berbers. Un- As the scene of the Anfa Conference der the aegis of the Merinid dynasty, (14 to 24 January 1943), the city re- Anfa remained a small town open to ceived Winston Churchill, Franklin sea trade with foreign lands. It was Roosevelt and Charles de Gaulle along inhabited by sailors and pirates who with a host of diplomats – and diplo- thought nothing of attacking passing matic dealings are only a step away ships, and in 1468 the Portuguese in- from doing business! The region’s Aerial view of Casa- vaded it and razed it to the ground in economic development was spurred Casablancan Art Deco in all its glory blanca coastline an effort to protect their trade. Un- onwards and upwards by the city’s der the Alaouite dynasty, during the burgeoning port activity, tapping na- Not to be missed out on reign of Sultan Sidi Mohammed Ben tional and foreign investment and In Casablanca, every stone of every district It was destroyed by an earthquake in Abdellah (1757-1790), the town rose giving birth to a modern metropolis has a story to tell. As you make your way 1755, and has a more contemporary from the ashes and became “Dar Al that has now become the Kingdom’s through the city, you cross from one era to feel to it than the medinas to be found Baida” – “White House” or, in the economic capital. another, increasingly persuaded that past in other Moroccan towns, its atypical Spanish tongue, “Casa Blanca”. The and present have here become one. style a mixture of Arabo-Muslim and colonial architecture. Nonetheless, all Facing the port, the Sqala is a fortified the authenticity of Moroccan tradition bastion built in the 18th century by lives on in its narrow little streets and Sultan Mohamed Ben Abdallah. their tightly-packed rows of shops. This bygone defensive post now accommodates a restaurant, but the Walking through the city centre, “Moorish café” still has its ancient cannons visitors cannot fail to be struck by the pointing out to sea. Make your way inside legacy of the “Années Folles”. With the fortress and you will find a pleasant their buildings adorned with cupolas, Andalusian garden lined with trees, exotic columns and sculpted balconies, the flora and mint-scented flowerbeds. 1920s and 30s were a period of unique artistic expression. Casablanca’s Near the port, just a stone’s throw neoclassical, art deco and Moorish from ‘’Place des Nations’’, the medina styles continue to attract and inspire is the oldest part of the city. architects from all over the world. The ‘’Café de la Scala’’, a former fortified bastion now transformed into a haven of peace where you can enjoy quenching your A Casablanca street from the 1930s thirst in the cool shade of its walls 8 9 A city of the future The Habous district in the southeast day, it is the head office of the Pre- of the city was built in the 1920s. Its fecture of Mechouar. The decoration architects, while remaining faithful to of its courtyards and sixty-four rooms traditional styles and customs, took makes full use of the many riches of care to comply with the dictates of mo- Moroccan art, and is reminiscent of dern urban planning. A district with history’s great Arabo-Andalusian pa- a character all of its own, it is made laces. up of narrow streets, little squares and stonework arcades, and accommo- The port has continued to develop dates a multitude of bazaars and shops ever since its creation in 1907. Com- selling traditional craftwork. prising a commercial port, a shipyard and a yachting harbour equipped with The Habous district The Mahkama, a fine building com- boarding quays for tourist ferries and The white city’s new coast road – good living on the shores of the ocean pleted in 1952, was once the city’s liners, Morocco’s leading port conti- courthouse as well as acting as the nues to be an essential factor in the venue for the Pasha’s receptions. To- white city’s economic growth. Casablanca, between business and pleasure Casablanca is a rapidly expanding bu- A wide range of leisure activities are on siness city provided with a full range offer, including golf and water sports. of modern infrastructures. No less Along the Corniche (coast road), life is than 60% of Morocco’s cutting-edge lived to the full, with an endless variety companies and most of its banks are of activities on tap day and night – cafes, headquartered there and its new, ul- restaurants, ice-cream parlours, luxury tra-modern Mohammed V Airport is hotels, shopping malls, playgrounds, a large-scale aviation hub. Being so shows, discos, cinemas, water-sports close to Europe, the city attracts in- clubs and much more besides. The de- creasing numbers of companies and is velopment of leisure activities is a top the venue for a whole range of semi- priority for the city, which will soon be nars and congresses all year round. A boasting a marina set in the heart of a major business centre and spacious fa- complex combining luxury hotels, of- cilities have been designed to accom- fices and apartments. Not far off, in modate events of whatever magnitude. the Anfa district - the “Moroccan Be- Whether you come on holiday or on verly Hills” - you can acquaint yourself business, Casablanca is a city to enjoy, with the city’s classiest neighbourhood Casablanca’s port with no lack of fine hotels to choose and the extraordinarily varied architec- from or entertainment to sample. ture of its superb villas. The Twin Center 10 11 The Hassan II Mosque The Hassan II Mosque is the largest includes a medersa, a library, a na- in the world after those in Mecca and tional museum and a series of confe- Medina, an architectural masterpiece rence rooms. Superbly decorated by standing partly over the ocean and craftsmen from throughout Morocco, built by His late Majesty King Hassan the edifice cannot but strike wonder II. The ground floor of this magnifi- in the heart - frescoes and zellij work cent religious edifice houses a perfectly adorned with geometrical motifs, symmetrical rectangular prayer room carved and painted woodwork, richly supported by seventy-eight pillars, intertwined stucco work, arabesques where the intermingled reflections of with abstract or calligraphied motifs, granite, marble and onyx dazzle the all bearing ample witness to the extra- eyes. Roofed with emerald green tiles, ordinary skill and innovative spirit of The full splendour of the room can accommodate 20,000 Moroccan craftsmen. Guided tours the work carried out worshippers inside and 80,000 more open to non-Muslims are organised by Morocco’s master craftsmen shines forth on the esplanade that acts as an exten- daily except for Fridays and at prayer from every corner of the sion to it. The Hassan II Mosque also times. Hassan II Mosque The Hassan II Mosque’s minaret, the highest anywhere in the world, towers over the Atlantic Ocean 12 13 Casablanca, a happening city A hotpot bubbling with cultural in- “springboards” – are organised for newly fluences, Casablanca is fertile ground formed groups. Rap, Rock, Fusion – for Moroccan artistic creation. Young you name it! The boulevard is an event and dynamic as it is, the city is the that truly represents Morocco’s under- scene of a whole range of events. ground music scene. The Casablanca Festival Theatre and Culture Festival For a few days in July, Casablanca be- A combination of performing arts, comes an international meeting-place concerts, dance, theatre and lectures, for the stars of the musical world.