Casablanca is Morocco’s largest city and is well worth the visit with its history and culture! Casablanca is a city of contrasts as it has been attracting people from the villages for years because of its labor conditions. It’s fair to say that this is the economic heart of Morocco.
Below is a list of 5 sites in Casablanca to see while in the city:
1. Musee Abderrahman Slaoui
This is the best place to start your historical trip. The museum is located not far from the medina. The museum is spread over two floors and displays artistic items from 19th and 20th Century Morocco including poster art, contemporary art, ceramics, and jewelry. You will be fascinated by the collection of Venetian glass boxes and candlesticks. Here, you will also see some of the early tourism posters for journeys to the African Continent from Europe. The paintings of Mohammed Ben Ali R’bati are extremely beautiful and masterfully created.
Musée Abderrahman Slaoui, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons2. Museum of Moroccan Judaism
As the journey in history continues, the next stop will be the Museum of Moroccan Judaism. This is the only Jewish museum in North Africa and displays the long history of Judaism in Morocco. It is a small cultural museum located outside of the bustling heart of the city and you would need a taxi to get there. The trip is however worth it as you will be intrigued by the artwork and the history contained inside. You will see a vast collection of Jewish artisans and a souk-size jeweler’s workshop. There are also exhibits illustrating religious and family life. The traditional clothing collection is one of the top collections. Visiting the museum will give you an idea of the past history of the Jewish community living in Morocco till the 1960s.
3. Notre Dame de Lourde
Our next stop is this extraordinary establishment. The Notre Dame de Lourde is a Catholic Church with stunning and modern stained glass. Built by the French in 1956, the building has a contemporary design. Located in the heart of Casablanca, there is a regular sermon open to the public. When you put aside the enormousness of the building and consider the fact that this is an Islamic country but you are in a Catholic church, you can get the sense of openness of the Moroccan people towards Western civilization. Make sure to light a candle in the small caved shrine in the courtyard of the church.
Remi Jouan (cropped by Rabanus Flavus), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons4. L’Eglise Du Sacre-Coeur
This stunning architectural building is a heritage of the French colonial past. Once a cathedral, it is now transformed into a beautiful museum. The stained glass windows are miraculously lit with sunshine. A must-see is the view from the spires. So take on the challenge to climb up some old stairs.
5. Place des Nations Unies
This is the last stop of this cultural and historical travel. Before you go to the place, it’s better to be acquainted with its history. The square has undergone a major renovation. It holds the premier position as the gateway to the most major sights of Casablanca. Many of the buildings have had a complete makeover and it is said the landmark Café de France will be repaired soon. This location was very underdeveloped but, now it is a posh place where you can have a nice cup of coffee or tea amid the vastness of the square.
Want to Visit these Sites in Casablanca?
If you are interested in visiting Casablanca, our travel experts are happy to assist you to plan an unforgettable Morocco tour.
