The Hassan II Mosque

The Hassan II Mosque is one of the largest mosques in the world and a breathtaking modern masterpiece, rising dramatically over the Atlantic on the Casablanca seafront, partly above the water itself. Completed in 1993, it holds tens of thousands of worshippers, boasts a 210-metre minaret, for decades the tallest in the world and still the second tallest, and dazzles with the finest Moroccan craftsmanship in marble, cedar, plaster and tile.

History

The idea of a great monument in Casablanca was announced by King Hassan II in 1980. The mosque was designed by the French architect Michel Pinseau and built by Bouygues with craftsmen from across the kingdom; work began on 12 July 1986, lasted seven years, and the mosque was inaugurated on 30 August 1993 (Wikipedia, Hassan II Mosque).

Highlights

• The vast prayer hall - the immense hall of marble, cedar and tilework.
• The minaret - the 210-metre tower over the sea, among the tallest in the world.
• The oceanfront setting - the mosque built partly over the Atlantic.
• The craftsmanship - the exquisite carved plaster, cedar and zellij tile.

When to go

Year-round; unusually for Morocco, non-Muslims may enter, but only on guided tours at set times outside prayer, so check the schedule. Dress modestly, with covered shoulders and legs. Sunset over the ocean is beautiful.

What to expect

It is one of the few mosques in Morocco non-Muslims may enter, but only on scheduled guided tours, so plan around the times and expect to remove shoes and dress modestly. Casablanca itself is a workaday business city with few other major sights, so the mosque is the main draw.

Nearby

The old medina and the Corniche of Casablanca are nearby; Rabat, the capital, is a short train ride.

Key facts