Casablanca in Spanish means White (blanca) House (Casa) and it is indeed the beautiful city of white. Driving through its streets, one cannot fail to notice imposing white structures contrasting with green palm trees swaying in front of them. One can also spot numerous posh hotels and cafeterias especially in areas like Anfa and Corniche. With wide footpaths along the roads, it is a pleasure to walk and admire its architectural marvels in stone and verdant green parks.
Anfa to Casablanca
Casablanca caught the eye of many foreigners before it became independent. In the 7th century it was an independent kingdom called Anfa with local Berbers settled in it. The city became part of Spain between 1580 and 1640 and later part of Portugal. When the earthquake shook the city in 1755, the European colonists abandoned it. It was reconstructed by Mohammed Ben Abdullah soon after and called as ‘Casa Blanca.’ The French took control of it in 1910 and in 1956 after Morocco regained its independence, it became its major city and port.
French Morocco
Once a French protectorate, the French influence is predominant in Casablanca more than it is in other cities of Morocco. In hotels and restaurants as also in markets and shops, French is spoken and understood as much as local Arabic and Berber. The Parisian air can be felt in the breezy Boulevards with road side cafes filled with locals sipping coffee at leisure. Shops, complexes and cafes too have French names. And La Corniche is Casablanca’s Champs Elysees.
La Corniche
Corniche is the most popular spot for locals as well as tourists. One can spend the whole day in this place by indulging in water sports and beach activities or just walking on the sand and touching the foaming waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The wide footpaths outside with beautiful flower beds and swaying palms would inspire anyone to tread on it and admire the surrounding landscape. All along are restaurants, cafes, ice cream parlors and juice centers to tempt passersby to step in and buy their choice.
Casablanca has many public parks both in the New town and Old Medina where the locals come to relax and chat in the evenings. Mohammad V square or the United Nations square is a good place to walk or just sit and admire the heritage structures around it. With traditional water sellers wearing their red costume with bells and vendors selling wares and eats, it is a good place to picnic and take pictures.
Hasan II Mosque
The landmark of Casablanca, however, is the Hasan II mosque. Wherever one goes the tower of the mosque looms in the background. Majestically facing the Atlantic Ocean, this mosque of cream and green created out of marble, granite and cedar wood is an architectural marvel.
Designed by the French architect, Michel Pinseau, the tower of the mosque rising to a height of 210 m is the world’s tallest minaret. The inside of the artfully decorated mosque can accommodate 25000 worshippers at a time while the outside courtyard can allow up to 80000 devotees.
Casablanca with its mild Mediterranean climate and abundant sea breeze is a city worth visiting both for its man made marvels as well s natural settings. It is easy to travel around the city in its red Petit taxis or buses that charge a very reasonable fare. Its people are friendly and too willing to guide a stranger. If one can speak in French, then one can feel completely at home in Casablanca.
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