Casablanca, the Metropollis of Morocco
June 21st 2009 07:57
Casablanca
Introduction :
First of all I think that the first question what everyone would really like to know is :
Is Casablanca really white? Well, my answer is: Casablanca IS really white. It is THE white city.
The economic capital of the Kingdom of Morocco, Casablanca is a blooming, modern and dynamic city being one of the busiest port cities in Africa
Dar El Beida- , the « white city » owes it’s name to a series of white houses perched on the edge of ancient ramparts This city is a very lucky town for many reasons, first of all because of it’s name and also because of the famous bestselling movie starring Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart. Although the movie did not represent the city at all, but it certainly gave a mystical plus to it’s name. The metropole’s geographic location is very ideal for being the main meeting point of Europe and Africa as in business as culturally and thanks to the islamic culture it is not in danger to lose it’s authentic historical quarters, it’s mosques, and most importantly it’s unforgettable athmosphere.
Being already one of Africa’s busiest port-cities and commercial centers now the time has come for Casablanca to become a desireable touristical target too. And as you will see the glam shopping steets and centres of the downtown, and with the sea and the beaches all around with it's uniquely beautiful two Medinas with all the flourishing markets -and blackmarkets. Any European citizen or traveler will feel immediately at home here and will have an almost instinctive understanding of the life here, you can see just everything what you can buy for money, such as all types of electronics, dvds and clothes coming from all parts of the world.
As french arrived in 1907, they have decided to re-create Casablanca-an already existing town- as commercial and port center of the country. For this reason the New Town-the Ville Nouvelle- is possibly the most impressive district in the whole Morocco..
Casablanca to me resembles a Mediterrenean port-city. Today all duties are handled here except for administration. Besides being important in business Casablanca treasures it’s rich history and it’s moroccan muslim traditions. It’s wonderful huge new mosque the Grand Mosque Hassan II, which you really must see personally in order to understand especially it’s parameters, for sure it will be bigger than you would ever imagine.
Casa 3 Attractions :
The main parts of the city are :
• the Nouvelle Medina
• Downtown Casablanca and the Anfa districts
• The Old Medina
• Hassan II Mosque
• Coastal part : the Corniche Closing with Ain Diab Beach
Nouvelle Medina
The Royal Castle of the King of Morocco situated by the famous district of Habous (Al Ahbass) , in the the Nouvelle Medina just some kilometres from the downtown. The Habous with its shops of handicrafts is today one of the most frequented sites to visit both by moroccans and tourists. The beautiful Makhama du Pacha where the prefecture office is operating is another splendid building to see. The whole district has it’s very own architectural style it’s definitely a must see.
Downtown Casablanca: the Ville Nouvelle
The long and wide french style wide boulevards and avenues of the New Town all starting from Place Mohamed V where also almost all administrative and governmental offices such as the Willaya and the Palace of Justice are to be found and shining modern hotels –such as the Hyatt Regency- populate the area. The huge square is followed by the Parque de la Ligue Arabe, the biggest park of Casablanca with the unique Sacre Coueur Church.
Casablanca is also the center of fahion in Morocco, and it s blooming modern city part has all the newest modern buildings packed with shops.
The big Central Market –souk- is also a must-see it’s in the city center easy to be found.
Old Medina (the part of town pre-dating the French protectorate)
The city’s beautiful old quarter, preserving the antique athmosphere of the city, full of shops and markets, people and mosques all bringing us back in history. Atfer a big fire, the whole Old Medina had to be rebuilt .but they did all during the reconstructions to kepp the area and the bouildings in their previous original forms and state. There are plenty of interesting houses including some belonging to a rabbi, others like old schools that are still functioning. You will see various food shops and spice shops. There is also a fishing harbor very close to the Old Medina.
Hassan II Grand Mosque, Situated only a little walk from the Old Medina, the huge mosque of Hassan II, is the second biggest mosque in the world, right after Mecca. Combining different materials and innovative architectural solutions, designed by the French architect Michel Pinseau it is definitely the most famous attraction of Casablanca and also the Moroccan Kingdom. Its Minaret is the world's tallest one with it’s 210 metres.
Boulevard du Corniche, is one of the city’s main “party-boulevards” all people gathering there to have fun to enjoy the sea and each other’s company. Packed wih bars, cafes , restaurants and discos it’s definitely a great site to relax and enjoy to watch the sea and the people, the place to go in the heat of the summer. Ain Diab beach, a little far from the center but easily accessible by bus serves as the city’s biggest and mostly used beach, everyone from Casablanca go there to have a swim and to play beachball.
And here are some extras for those who are still not tired or just want to focus on other attractions to visit
Visit a Hamam a traditional moroccan bath you will love it but prepare for a good sleep just afterwards.
Hamam has two parts with two entrance gates. One part only for men and one only for women.
Les Bains Ziani
59, Rue Abou Rakrak
Ben Jdia Casablanca
Is only one Hamam but you can fine a dozen more just ask anyone on the street ands they will show you where are some good ones.
Sidi Kairouani Sanctuary Next to Tnaker Street in the downtown
This sanctuary holds the burial of the first owner of the city, Sidi Allal el-Kairouani
Sidi Belyout Sanctuary This sanctuary is on the road between Hyatt Regency hotel and Casa Port train station Sidi Belyot is the Patron Saint of Casablanca
Notre Dame de Lourdes Rond-Point d'Europe Casablanca 20 500
Especially famous for it s alonestanding stained glass windows designed by Gabriel Loire , a master glass worker.
Sidi Abderahman Marabout is a religious burial site that attracts many pilgrims (who go to bathe there and spend the night there) It is only 1 Km away from Ain Diab and you can walk to the area if you walk along the beach to see it yourself, but only from the shore unless you are muslim yourself.
Ville des Arts 30, Brahim Roudani Art-Deco andModern Art gallery
Just by the Parc de la Ligue Arabe
Shopping time ! : Derb Ghalef , Derb Omar and Hay Hassani the best shopping areas where you can get just anything. All of them are close to the city center, anytaxi driver takes you for a small sum.
The Jewish district the Mellah: The famous jewish quarter or Mellah called Lusitania with some beautiful colonial architecture and historical remains of the jewish culture with two beautiful Synagogues in the district, a Jewish School nearby and a museum Casablanca's Moroccan-Jewish Museum the only Jewish museum to be found in any Muslim country anywhere in the world.
The best places close to Casablanca:
Azemmour and El Jadida 2 picturesque towns both used to be a Portuguese trade centers and ports till 1541
Mohammedia is a beautiful small beach resort town and it has fine beach.
Introduction :
First of all I think that the first question what everyone would really like to know is :
Is Casablanca really white? Well, my answer is: Casablanca IS really white. It is THE white city.
The economic capital of the Kingdom of Morocco, Casablanca is a blooming, modern and dynamic city being one of the busiest port cities in Africa
Dar El Beida- , the « white city » owes it’s name to a series of white houses perched on the edge of ancient ramparts This city is a very lucky town for many reasons, first of all because of it’s name and also because of the famous bestselling movie starring Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart. Although the movie did not represent the city at all, but it certainly gave a mystical plus to it’s name. The metropole’s geographic location is very ideal for being the main meeting point of Europe and Africa as in business as culturally and thanks to the islamic culture it is not in danger to lose it’s authentic historical quarters, it’s mosques, and most importantly it’s unforgettable athmosphere.
Being already one of Africa’s busiest port-cities and commercial centers now the time has come for Casablanca to become a desireable touristical target too. And as you will see the glam shopping steets and centres of the downtown, and with the sea and the beaches all around with it's uniquely beautiful two Medinas with all the flourishing markets -and blackmarkets. Any European citizen or traveler will feel immediately at home here and will have an almost instinctive understanding of the life here, you can see just everything what you can buy for money, such as all types of electronics, dvds and clothes coming from all parts of the world.
As french arrived in 1907, they have decided to re-create Casablanca-an already existing town- as commercial and port center of the country. For this reason the New Town-the Ville Nouvelle- is possibly the most impressive district in the whole Morocco..
Casablanca to me resembles a Mediterrenean port-city. Today all duties are handled here except for administration. Besides being important in business Casablanca treasures it’s rich history and it’s moroccan muslim traditions. It’s wonderful huge new mosque the Grand Mosque Hassan II, which you really must see personally in order to understand especially it’s parameters, for sure it will be bigger than you would ever imagine.
Casa 3 Attractions :
The main parts of the city are :
• the Nouvelle Medina
• Downtown Casablanca and the Anfa districts
• The Old Medina
• Hassan II Mosque
• Coastal part : the Corniche Closing with Ain Diab Beach
Nouvelle Medina
The Royal Castle of the King of Morocco situated by the famous district of Habous (Al Ahbass) , in the the Nouvelle Medina just some kilometres from the downtown. The Habous with its shops of handicrafts is today one of the most frequented sites to visit both by moroccans and tourists. The beautiful Makhama du Pacha where the prefecture office is operating is another splendid building to see. The whole district has it’s very own architectural style it’s definitely a must see.
Downtown Casablanca: the Ville Nouvelle
The long and wide french style wide boulevards and avenues of the New Town all starting from Place Mohamed V where also almost all administrative and governmental offices such as the Willaya and the Palace of Justice are to be found and shining modern hotels –such as the Hyatt Regency- populate the area. The huge square is followed by the Parque de la Ligue Arabe, the biggest park of Casablanca with the unique Sacre Coueur Church.
Casablanca is also the center of fahion in Morocco, and it s blooming modern city part has all the newest modern buildings packed with shops.
The big Central Market –souk- is also a must-see it’s in the city center easy to be found.
Old Medina (the part of town pre-dating the French protectorate)
The city’s beautiful old quarter, preserving the antique athmosphere of the city, full of shops and markets, people and mosques all bringing us back in history. Atfer a big fire, the whole Old Medina had to be rebuilt .but they did all during the reconstructions to kepp the area and the bouildings in their previous original forms and state. There are plenty of interesting houses including some belonging to a rabbi, others like old schools that are still functioning. You will see various food shops and spice shops. There is also a fishing harbor very close to the Old Medina.
Hassan II Grand Mosque, Situated only a little walk from the Old Medina, the huge mosque of Hassan II, is the second biggest mosque in the world, right after Mecca. Combining different materials and innovative architectural solutions, designed by the French architect Michel Pinseau it is definitely the most famous attraction of Casablanca and also the Moroccan Kingdom. Its Minaret is the world's tallest one with it’s 210 metres.
Boulevard du Corniche, is one of the city’s main “party-boulevards” all people gathering there to have fun to enjoy the sea and each other’s company. Packed wih bars, cafes , restaurants and discos it’s definitely a great site to relax and enjoy to watch the sea and the people, the place to go in the heat of the summer. Ain Diab beach, a little far from the center but easily accessible by bus serves as the city’s biggest and mostly used beach, everyone from Casablanca go there to have a swim and to play beachball.
And here are some extras for those who are still not tired or just want to focus on other attractions to visit
Visit a Hamam a traditional moroccan bath you will love it but prepare for a good sleep just afterwards.
Hamam has two parts with two entrance gates. One part only for men and one only for women.
Les Bains Ziani
59, Rue Abou Rakrak
Ben Jdia Casablanca
Is only one Hamam but you can fine a dozen more just ask anyone on the street ands they will show you where are some good ones.
Sidi Kairouani Sanctuary Next to Tnaker Street in the downtown
This sanctuary holds the burial of the first owner of the city, Sidi Allal el-Kairouani
Sidi Belyout Sanctuary This sanctuary is on the road between Hyatt Regency hotel and Casa Port train station Sidi Belyot is the Patron Saint of Casablanca
Notre Dame de Lourdes Rond-Point d'Europe Casablanca 20 500
Especially famous for it s alonestanding stained glass windows designed by Gabriel Loire , a master glass worker.
Sidi Abderahman Marabout is a religious burial site that attracts many pilgrims (who go to bathe there and spend the night there) It is only 1 Km away from Ain Diab and you can walk to the area if you walk along the beach to see it yourself, but only from the shore unless you are muslim yourself.
Ville des Arts 30, Brahim Roudani Art-Deco andModern Art gallery
Just by the Parc de la Ligue Arabe
Shopping time ! : Derb Ghalef , Derb Omar and Hay Hassani the best shopping areas where you can get just anything. All of them are close to the city center, anytaxi driver takes you for a small sum.
The Jewish district the Mellah: The famous jewish quarter or Mellah called Lusitania with some beautiful colonial architecture and historical remains of the jewish culture with two beautiful Synagogues in the district, a Jewish School nearby and a museum Casablanca's Moroccan-Jewish Museum the only Jewish museum to be found in any Muslim country anywhere in the world.
The best places close to Casablanca:
Azemmour and El Jadida 2 picturesque towns both used to be a Portuguese trade centers and ports till 1541
Mohammedia is a beautiful small beach resort town and it has fine beach.
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