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Despite its mythical name, though few tourists venture in Casablanca. The economic capital of the country does, a priori, none of these monuments to charm the visitor. It seems too modern, too buzzing. Symbol of Morocco today, it is written here that a portion of the future of the kingdom. But this role of the future metropolis, Casablanca has always been. In twenty years, the White City was a wonderful laboratory for urban planning. It keeps this time one of the most beautiful collections of Art Deco architecture that can be discovered. Just lift your eyes to see a dome decorated with friezes, or a set of air colonnades. In the centre, district Anfa, on the corniche or in the medina of Habbous, the city reflects the dreams of architects. Casablanca, a city consumer among all, was decorated by the will of the king of a beacon for believers. The Hassan II mosque, designed by an architect french, leaves the presence in size to Mecca, but the sophistication of its interior place at the forefront of the major achievements of the Muslim world. Discover Casablanca. 1-walking downtown. the lover of Art Deco architecture will discover one of the finest ensembles of 20 years. The medina, which is the end of this walk, this lack of interest and the atmosphere is not always very pleasant. 2-the cornice. After visiting the Hassan II mosque, one will discover the side of the seaside city with its cafes along the ocean, and the strange marabout Sidi Abd er Rahman before returning by Anfa, the residential area. 3-to Habous district. This walk to a neighborhood created from scratch in 20 years seduce lovers of architecture and urbanism. Living Casablanca. Casablanca is noisy. Just fire it is green that all cars klaxonnent. Traffic is particularly dangerous. But Casablanca is also a modern and dynamic city far removed traditional cliches of Morocco. Casablanca manual. the center, which revolves around places Mohammed V and the UN, can be visited on foot. The other walks require the use of a vehicle. Motorists and pedestrians beware of traffic. This will avoid, for example, starts the interface green lights, a red light being away from you guard a bus arriving at full speed. Programme. A day may be enough to get a good overview of the city. But lovers of architecture will gladly spend another day. 1st day. The morning will be devoted to a visit to the city centre and the mosque Hasan II. It will then travel to the corniche (Daib Ain), where you can see the sheikh Sidi Abd er Rahman (about 3 km from Ain Diab). Return by the district Anfa. 2nd day. The morning visit to the area of eccentric Habbous. then lunch at the port before continuing on the old medina and a thorough tour of downtown. Casablanca in history. Anfa. This site, now a residential area west of the city, seems to have been experienced since the Phoenicians VI. it has been lived at a time anterior well, as evidenced by several industry remains of Palaeolithic and the "man of Casablanca", discovered in 1955 in the career of Sidi Abd er Rahman. The site is named after anfa avce occupation Arabic became the capital of the kingdom of Berber Berghouta, obedience Kharidjites. In the twelfth the kingdom was conquered by Sultan Abd el Almohad Mou'men. It retains its functions port. El Idrissi geographer Roger III of Sicily, Anfa quoted as calling cargo loading grain. The privateer on the Portuguese coast. Small city prosperous, Anfa has at XV. a fleet privateer bringing ka race on the European seas, especially in Cadiz and the Portuguese coast. In 1468 the Infante Don Ferdinand of Portugal at the head of an armada of 50 vessels, leading a punitive expedition which led to bag Anfa. Forty years later, "fustes" Privateers d'Anfa are again active, creating a new punitive expedition in 1515. Casa Branca, Dar El Beida. Sixty years later the Portuguese, already well established in Mazagan (El Jadida), Anfa and invest in rebuilding the fortificant under the name Casa Branca. Anfa appears, until the middle of the XVIII, as a preliminary military post protecting the route of Mazagan, harassed by the incursions of neighbouring tribes. The Portuguese drop out after the earthquake of 1755. Towards 1770, the Sultan Sidi Mohammed ben Abdallah is the ruins and assign the name of Dar El Beida, literal translation of the Portuguese name "white city". Casablanca. The main remains of the city, especially the Great Mosque and borj Sidi El Kairouani date from the time of Mohammed III At the end of the XVIII, Spanish merchants obtain permission to move. they adopt the name of the city while translating it. Dar El Beida becomes Casablanca. But it is still far from the city an international dimension: in 1830, the counter has only 600 inhabitants. The birth of the port. The real growth of the city, whose port activity is non-existent during the first decades, dating back to mid-XIX. Increasing demand in Europe for grain product and does textile raw materials led to the installation of several french traders from 1850. But it is England which establishes the first consular representation not 1857, followed by Spain in 1861 and France 1865. Favoured by the development of steam navigation, which makes it easier to access the port open sea, Casablanca now offers regular routes with Europe. The population of 8000 inhabitants in 1860, reached 20000 inhabitants in 1907. The port of Tangier and Casablanca supplants becomes the largest of Morocco. The arrival of French. From the beginning of the century, the growth in traffic makes it necessary to establish a modern port infrastructure. The work is entrusted to a french company in 1906. A year later, incidents on the site lead to the massacre of nine workers and the blockade of the consulate of France, they serve as a pretext for military intervention Lyautey French and Henri Prost. The Resident-General in Morocco (1912 - 1925) focuses immediately after the first World War to the hotel and the enhancement of protectorate. it emphasizes the economic growth of Casablanca, which becomes the first active centre of Morocco. With the urban architect Henri Prost, he decided the main options for its urban development. This has two important moments for the urban plans of 1916 and 1946. The spectacular rise from the thirties has continued since Independence. Casablanca today. A young city. Since those crazy years, Casablanca has grown quickly, too quickly. The town of 20000 inhabitants of the beginning of this century has continued to grow. The dynamism of the city, individualism developers and land speculation have been right principles laid down "Mosaic cities which have their faces, their specific atmosphere, their customs and their picturesque figures," said Ahmed Sefrioui. The image is right, although reflecting poetically contrasts that can be mounted in a more thought. These are often violent clashes between the shops of downtown and suburban slums interminable between businessman wending to blow a horn passage to steal his Mercedes candling citizen, came to swell the world of daily seeking alms or work. Between rigorous and modernity, between Islam and occidentalité, Casablanca synthesizes the contradictions of the kingdom. A dynamic city. Casablanca is now home to nearly one-seventh of the Moroccan population and holds nearly all vital activities in the country. The development of port and the city go together. receiving of goods and raw materials, it draws it to the main interest of the country and provides hand-opener for them. Nursery framework of Moroccan and foreign businessman, the city is the headquarters of major banks, business, society and the country's economic offices, and major multinational companies. This attraction causes an imbalance in relation to the development of the rest of the country. The government tries in vain to limit the region Casablanca economic investments, which accounted for nearly 50% of those carried out across the state during the 80 years. Ultimately, food processing, metallurgical, chemical and textile jobs in the commercial sector and provide services, despite the concern of unemployment often too heavy, Labour to a population who has the best financial benifices Morocco, but pays more in return 50% of taxes levied on them. The Downtown. Agitated and noisy, the centre of Casablanca offers a remarkable architectural unity. It will notice at the beginning of this walk contemplating the Place des Nations Unies designed by Joseph Marrast. Over the streets and avenues, we systematically remove the head to see to it from there, a column, a corbelling, a frieze. Not really of buildings that stand out in the lot, but a succession of battisses that make Casablanca one sets Art Dèco the best preserved of the world. Departure: Place des Nations Unies. Running time: 2 pm to 3 pm; provide 30 minutes more with the visit of the medina. On the Place des Nations unies, the administrative centre of Casablanca, stands the architectural ensemble most harmonious of the city. it was created in 1920 by architect Joseph Marrast. The volumes are a rhythmic series of arcades and enhanced by the use of a stone blonde who brings a nuance colorful facades white. A fountain light, on the west side, functions during the weekend. The este side of the square is bordered by the Palace of Justice, which a stairway gives access. On the right, the consulate of France is above the statue of Marshal Lyautey, by Fr Cogné 1933. She was once a centre of the square. To the south lies the prefecture, north of the Post building (designed by Adrien Laforgue) At the bottom of the Place des Nations Unies, Abderrahman Sehraoui Street leads directly to the park in the league Arabic. The park in the league Arabic, built in 1918, continues a pleasant green zone. It will especially in the north arrow of the former Cathedral of the Sacred heart of qu'éclairent claustras concrete. Built in 1930 by Paul Tournon, it does now place of worship. The Casablanca Art Deco. many buildings of that period are in an area between Avenue Hassan II, the boulevard El Meskini and boulevard Mohammed V. From the ancient cathedral of the Sacred heart, cross the park of the Arab League to take on the left Moulay Youssef Avenue. Beautiful Art Deco buildings stand on Avenue Hassan II on the edge of the park. Continue on the boulevard Alber Reitzer, the boulevard that extends from January 11. Having arrived at the intersection with Avenue Lalla Yacout, you can turn right to turn left onto the boulevard Hassan el Seghir. Again on the left follow the Boulevard Mohammed V with the central market where many florists. It will still many buildings of this period throughout this boulevard which combines with the Avenue of the army Royale, shops, hotels, restaurants and cafes the most luxurious of the city. Just before arriving at Place des Nations Unies, rue du Prince Moulay Abdallah has also many battisses Art Deco. Place Mohammed V, the edge of the old medina and the modern city, is the nerve centre of the city around which the main arteries following a structured plan radioconcentrique. An underground passage topped with a dome, due to the architect Zevaco, facilitated the crossing. Most major hotels and airlines are in the sector, particularly in av FAR. To the north, toward the port, the boulevard Felix Houphouet Boigny offers many souvenir shops. It earns the old medina, crossing the Avenue des FAR behind the Hyatt Regency hotel, to join the boulevard Tahar el Alaoui who follows the route of the ancient wall. It is actually an artery most often close, very passband and surrounded by many small shops selling all kinds of articles. The old medina is partially surrounded by ramparts of the XVI and new ones built to hide the sight of the customers Hyatt. It is a tangled maze of narrow streets that contrast with the modern buildings of the city today. To which has already seen other towns, that they're not the most interesting. It is essential to avoid to walk at night the day, you have to be careful if you are alone. It comes as the new gate, Bab Jédid, also known as the Bab Marrakech, which opens onto a small square shaded and decorated with fountains. From there, the street el Afia entering the town by the district Tnaker. It will turn left at the end thereof to engage in street Sidi Fatah which crosses the streets of Tnaker. You can see on the right, the church Buenaventura, founded by Spaniards in 1891. This leads facing a public garden, which is taken up on the right street Sour Jédid who soon reached the small square of Sidi el Kairouani. Here lies the santuaire Sidi el Kairouani erected at the beginning of XIX in honour of this holy character of XIV, a native of Kairouan, the first boss of the city. A left instead Sqala is a former stronghold of XVIII. or to discover the basins of the marina and fishing port. Continuing across the street from the Navy, which passes in front of the mosque Ould el Hamra, then straight on the streets of the Customs which continues parallel to the walls and the boulevard Almohads, it leads to the square of Sidi Bou where Smara is the Koubba this marabout and a small cemetery in the shadow of a beautiful banyan fig which makes it one of the most charming corner of the medina. Traversing this plot to escape through an archway, leads Dar el Makhzen street where you notice the mosque Dar el Makhzen or Great Mosque, built by Sultan Sidi Mohammed ben Abdallah. Turning between the Dar el Makhzen mosque and the square of Sidi Bou Smara, joined to este Boulevard Felix Houphouet Boigny. The cornice. The Hassan II mosque faces the ocean on which it was partially built. This new flagship of believers, a masterpiece of Islamic art, was designed by an architect and french made by thousands of Moroccan artisans. After this dive into the world of a thousand and one nights, alongside the ridge which gives the city its white beach resort. Continuing along the waterfront, you will discover a marabout, very popular with Moroccans but forgotten tourists. Finally, we return by Anfa, the chic neighbourhood. Four very different images of the metropolis. Departure: Hassan II mosque. Running time: 2 h 30 to 3 pm count at least 1 hour for the Hassan II mosque, then an hour to the corniche where s'aretera take a drink, then 30 minutes for the sheikh and another 30 minutes to return to centre. Transport: By car or bus No. 9 The impressive Hassan II mosque, which advances to meet the ocena, is surrounded by a vast esplanade that can accommodate 80000 faithful. S'etendant on a 9ha site, two thirds were taken on Wednesday, it was designed by architect french Michel Pinseau. it took the work of several thousands of artisans from Safi, Marrakech and Fez, and nearly six years the Bouygues group to complete it. At the top of the minaret, high 200m, a laser beam up to 30 Km indicates the direction of Mecca. From the Hassan II mosque, follow the boulevard Sidi Mohammed ben Abdallah, which extends from the boulevard of the cornice. Attention is given first to the flagship El hank, built by the French in 1905 before winning Ain Diab, seaside resort popular with Casablancais, who go there in numbers at weekends and evenings. Of all the hotels, restaurants, cafes and pools, succeeding, we can notice the restaurant La Reserve, built in 1933 by architect George Renaudin. This building very futuristic, built on concrete pillars, juts over the ocean like a flying saucer. Continuing along the beach about 2 km, can be seen on the right of the sheikh Sidi Abd er Rahman, a small village lying on a rock in the ocean, which is less than low tide and is déchaussant. Some thirty people living in the romantic place devoid of electricity, hence we have a nice view of Casablanca and loquée Hassan II. Since Ain Diab, retrace his steps to turn right on the Lido Boulevard. It won the residential district of Anfa, dotted with villas surrounded by beautiful gardens. It is here that took place in the 1943 Casablanca conference, historic meeting between Churchill, Roosevelt and General de Gaulle. By turning left onto the boulevard Alexandre I extended by the Boulevard d'Anfa and the Avenue des FAR, we find instead Mohammed V. Towards the district Habbous. The main interest of this walk is the medina of Habbous which passionnera the fans of urban planning. Produced from 1923 to eliminate slums, it was quickly occupied by Muslims who considered easy as an authentic medina. Indeed, with its plots, shops and arcades, it is much more charming than the old medina. Admission: up to the Place des Nations Unies, turn right boulevard of Paris and then on the right side of the boulevard on January 11, extended by the boulevard or Lahcen Ider. Follow then left the street Hadj Amar Riffi. Duration: 10 km walk around a car; have at least 2 hours depending on congestion. It crosses a residential area along soon on the walls of the royal palace in Casablanca. From this palace, which is adjacent to the district Habbous, we will only see streetlights in the style Napoleon III and cannons coming out of walls. This palace was built in 80 years. Immediately after, turn right onto the square Moulay Youssef from the visit which could walk the new Medina. The new town or district Habbous is a Muslim Quarter narrow alleys made from 1923 to absorb part of the neighborhoods from squalid agglomerate around the metropolis. This area was designed by architect Edmond Brion. In a careful construction, embellished by streets and squares that surround and overlapping arches of stone, it took with its souks, craft shops and souvenir shops, the face of a traditional medina. It notes some interesting buildings, such as mahakma of Pacha located along the boulevard Victor Hugo. Completed in 1952, the building served as a Muslim court and show the official pasha of Casablanca. The decoration, rich in plaster artistically worked, was inspired by the traditional North African architecture. the mahkama is separated by the place of my mosque, the mosque of Sidi Mohammed ben Youssef. can still be seen near the mosque Moulay Youssef, the high center of a square lined with arcades. Taking over the car to continue through the boulevard Victor Hugo and follow beyond the park Murdoch, right Avenue on March 2, which leads the roundabout of europe. A left the church of Notre Dame heavy, powerful mass of concrete, was built between 1953 and 1956 by architect A. In England and engineer Zimmer. Since Notre Dame heavy, Mohammed Zektouni Boulevard, left, then the Avenue Hassan II, on the right can join the Place des Nations Unies. Features still in the region: Azemmour (83 Km), El Jadida (99 Km), Kasba of Boulemane (132 Km), Mohammedia (28 km) From Casablanca. 1-From Casablanca to a Khemisset Meknes (257 km by the S106, asphalt and poorly attended). Varying quite picturesque axis Casablanca Rabat Meknes. Quit Casablanca by Ibn Tachfine Boulevard and follow the direction of Tit Mellil and Meknes. Km 55: Ben Slimane, the center of a rich agricultural region and the edge of a forest of oaks liéges of Ziaida market on Wednesday, moussem in September around the marabout Sidi Slimane. Km 82: After crossing the smiling valley of Wadi el Bagra, panorama right on the mountains of the country Zaer. Km 86: Sidi Bettache, and marabout village on the old track imperial Rabat in Marrakech, in the cork oak forest of Ziaida. 96 to 104 Km: beautiful route through the valley of Wadi Korifla. 122 Km: Rommani Important market on Wednesday, moussem in September. Follow 6 Km on the direction of Rabat and turn right. Km 159: Col du Kaour, 400 m above sea level 165 Km: Maaziz. 200 Km: Khemisset. 257 Km: Meknes. 2 - From Casablanca to Marrakesh by the country Rehamna (234 km by road P7). This route, which presents no other interest than to win the prestigious rapidly capital of the South, through the main production centres phosphates. Leave Casablanca by Moulay Hassan I avenue and boulevard brahim Roudani toward the airport Mohammed V. 7 Km: leave on the right road of El Jadida and continue to Berrechid. 66 Km: Settat, is the economic center of the Chaouia, plain little rough between the mouth of the Bou Regreg, one of the Oum Rbia er. You can see the heart to a kasbah founded in the seventeenth by Moulay Ismail. There was a stage during his trips to Fez Marrakech. At the entrance of the city, route S105 for the casbahs of Boulaouane. Km 114.5: bridge over the Oum Rbia er flowing here between hills where gypsum push tamarisk. The route then crosses the plain of Rehamna, steppe land quartzeuses schistose and little cultivated. 136 Km: Benguerir, amid a wasteland steppe; market on Tuesday. It then crosses the plain of Bahira whereabouts of marshy depression Sedd el Mejnoun. According to Leon L'Africain, the XVI was a vast lake fish surrounded by a wooded area and giboyeuse. 197 Km: Sidi Bou Othman, Hamlet nearly two koubbas among old jujubiers wild. This is where Colonel Mangin won a victory in August 1912, which allowed the French army to enter Marrakech. Beyond Sidi Bou Othman, the road crosses the Djebilet, "small mountains" with a pass to 650 m above sea level. Km 223: A bridge built around 1170, during the reign of Abu Youssef Yacoub, crosses the wadi Tensift. 224 Km: left of the road around the palm of Marrakech. 234 Km: Marrakech.