Atlantic Coast - Morocco - page 339

Central Casablanca

START CATHÉDRALE DU SACRÉ COEUR, BLVD RACHIDI
END PL 16 NOVEMBRE
LENGTH 3KM, 50 MINUTES

Central Casablanca has a rich architectural heritage. The style of colonial architecture found here in
abundance is known as Mauresque and came into being during General Lyautey's term as governor of
Morocco between 1912 and 1924.
The style blended aspects of traditional Moroccan design such as Islamic arches, columns and tile-
work with the influences of Parisian art deco, characterised by ornate wrought-iron balconies, carved
facades and friezes, and rounded exterior corners.
Wherever you go in downtown Casa, look up! The humblest block of apartments can sport ornate
decorative details, even if the building itself is neglected.
This walking tour takes in the best Mauresque buildings, and some other Casa treasures.
Start on the northwest edge of the Parc de la Ligue Arabe, with the imposing white Cathédrale
du Sacré Coeur , a graceful cathedral designed by Paul Tornon and built in 1930. This is a good ex-
ample of the style, with some neo-Gothic influence.
From here, walk two blocks east to Pl Mohammed V, which is the grand centrepiece of the French
building scheme. The vast square, beloved by Casablancais who congregate here in the evenings and
on weekends, is surrounded by impressive administrative buildings, most designed by Robert Marrast
and Henri Prost. The 1930 wilaya (old police headquarters, now governor's office) dominates the
square's south side and is topped by a modernist clock tower.
The nearby palais de justice (law courts) dates from 1925. The huge main door and entrance
were inspired by the Persian iwan, a vaulted hall that opens into the central court of the medersa
(theological college) of a mosque.
Stroll across the grand square and admire the 1918 main post office ( Click here ), fronted by
arches and stone columns and decorated with bold mosaics. More in the style of traditional Moroccan
architecture is the Banque al-Maghrib , on Blvd de Paris. Fronted with decorative stonework, it
was the last building constructed on the square.
From here, walk east on Rue Indriss Lahrizi, where impressive facades line both sides of the street,
the best being La Princière Salon de Thé , with its huge stone crown on the roofline. Turn right
into Rue Mohammed Belloul to see Hôtel Guynemer ( Click here ) with its restored art deco pan-
elling, and almost opposite, the Hotel Oued Dahab . Then walk a block east and turn right down
Rue Tahar Sebti, which is lined with colonial buildings that are now apartments and offices.
Turn left into Rue Chaouia and look for Hôtel Transatlantique ( Click here ), which dates from
1922 and has been beautifully restored. Just around the corner, another restored gem, the

Hotel

Volubilis , has a great facade.
Turn left up Rue Ibn Batouta and continue to the corner of Blvd Mohammed V. On your right is the
derelict shell of the

Hôtel Lincoln , a Mauresque masterpiece built in 1916. Sadly its owner cannot