Anfa was their
connection to Europe, enabling export of what cereals, wool,
hides, beeswax and oil they did not consume themselves.
These days, although
memories of the past still remain -bazaars, souks, ramparts
around the Old Medina, mosques and marabouts (including that of
Sidi Aderrahman, the most often visited sanctuary)- Casablanca
shows the face of a nation making rapid progress into the modern
world.
The Corniche
skirting the shores of the Atlantic, is the place for those who
need a thirst-quencher, a dip in the sea, or an evening of hot
music at one or other of its top-class nightclubs.
Let it not be forgotten that Casablanca has been the scene of
several historic meetings which have had their influence on the
course of history. It was in Casablanca, in 1943, that His late
Majesty Mohammed V, along with His Majesty Hassan II, then the
Crown Prince,welcomed the three great Heads of State of the
World -Churchill, Roosevelt and De Gaulle-on thee occasion of
the Anfa Conference.
Sites to
visit:
Place Mohammed V: Designed by architect Joseph Marrast in
1920, this is the administrative center of the city.
Place des Nations Unies (United Nations Square): Built at
the turn of the century and redesigned in the 1950s, the entire
city centers around this square.
Arab League Park: Made in 1918, this magnificent garden
contains a children's amusement park, caf‚s and small
restaurants.
Eglise Notre Dame de Lourdes:
Built from 1953 to 1956,
the concrete walls contain stained glass windows that illuminate
a space of 800 m2.
New town: Situated just behind the royal palace, nowadays
it is called Habbous. It contains lovely buildings such as the
Mahkama (Court House) built in 1952 in the hispano-mauresque
style 1952, as well as a vast variety of handicraft shops.
Old town: The old town was largely destroyed by the
earthquake of 1755. Rebuilding took place in 1770 under the
reign of Sultan Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdallah. Its tiny streets are
crammed with shops and small squares.
The port: Built at the turn of the century on over 180
hectares, the port is protected by a jetty 3180 m in length.
Early in the morning fish is sold by auction. In the evening one
can enjoy fresh fish in the many restaurants doing business in
this area.
Hassan II Mosque: A genuine architectural masterpiece and
symbol of a version of Islam that is open to the world and to
science, the mosque was partially built on the waters of the
Atlantic Ocean. Construction began at the beginning of the 1980s
as ordered by the late king Hassan II. It minaret rises to a
height of 200m. The entire site covers a surface area of 9
hectares and includes a library, koranic school, Turkish bath
and spacious conference rooms. The prayer hall can contain 25
000 believers and 8000 pilgrims can congregate on the esplanade.
Guided visits are available to non-Muslims every day at fixed
hours, except on Fridays.
Ain Diab Corniche: With a whole series of beaches and
swimming pools, caf‚s, hotels, restaurants and night clubs this
is the place of predilection for inhabitants of Casablanca
wanting to go out for a walk.
Anfa Hill: The sumptuous residential district well known
for is luxurious villas and magnificent gardens. One of the
villas served as the venue for Churchill and Roosevelt for the
Anfa Conference in 1943.