Architecture sights in Morocco
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Art Deco Buildings
If you can see past the traffic, fumes and general chaos of central Casablanca you'll discover the city's rich architectural heritage, a blend of French-colonial design and traditional Moroccan style known as Mauresque architecture. Developed in the 1930s and heavily influenced by the Art Deco movement, it embraced decorative details such as intricate carved friezes, beautiful tile work and ornate wrought-iron balconies.
Although some of the era's gems have been beautifully restored, others lie in shameful disrepair. Pl Mohammed V is the grand centrepiece of the French regeneration scheme. Impressive facades and colonial buildings line Rue Indriss Lahrizi, Rue Tahar Sebti…
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Hassan II Mosque
The brainchild and crowning achievement of King Hassan II, this phenomenal building is the world's third-largest mosque. It was built to commemorate the former king's 60th birthday and opened in 1993 giving Casablanca the heart and landmark it so sorely missed.
The mosque rises above the ocean on a rocky outcrop reclaimed from the sea; taking literally the verse from the Quran that states that God's throne was built upon the water. It's a vast building that can hold 25,000 worshippers and accommodate a further 80,000 in the courtyards and squares around it. The mosque was designed by the French architect Michel Pinseau and is topped by a soaring 210m-tall minaret, which s…
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Moulay Idriss Zawiya
Here is the heart of Fez: the mausoleum of the city's founder and the most venerated pilgrimage spot in Morocco. You can't enter unless you're a Muslim, but you can peek inside. It's worth walking around the building to see the beautiful carved and painted wood porches, the wall zellij and painted carved plaster at each doorway.
Near the main entrance are a fountain and a mzara (niche on the outside wall, richly decorated with zellij and plasterwork) where people in too much of a hurry to enter can pay their respects; there's another mzara on Talaa Kebira. The brass money-slot is for giving alms. Housing a mosque and ablution facilities, as well as the tomb of Moulay Idri…
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Mosque
One of the two great mosques of Fez, this started life as a relatively modest structure in the 9th century, but became the congregational mosque of the quarter in the 10th century. Its minaret, a gift from the caliph of Córdoba, dates from 956 and is very similar to that of its sister mosque, the Kairaouine. The mosque was totally rebuilt by the Almohads between 1203 and 1207 and the magnificent monumental door on the northern façade dates from this time.
Designed and built by artisans from the Nasrid kingdom of Granada, the triple-entry wooden door features colourful zellij (mosaic tilework), ornate decorative plasterwork and a huge cornice of carved cedarwood. Though …
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Ain Khaïl Mosque
Where can a camel pass under a minaret? If you know the answer to this question, you're a true Fassi. This 11th-century mosque has an octagonal minaret built over the street. The Sufi philosopher Ibn el-Arabi (1165-1240) is said to have seen a mystical vision of intense light here. A few years ago, a badly degraded house collapsed into the prayer-hall, killing 12 men. The mosque is not in use and funding has been applied for from the EU's Euromed Heritage Programme to restore it.
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Abou Bakr Ibn Arabi Mausoleum
Abou Bakr ibn Arabi arrived in Fez from Seville in the 11th century. An ala (learned man) and an imam, he was on a pilgrimage to meet all of the renowned ulama (Islamic scholars) of his day. So taken was he with the learned atmosphere of Fez that he returned here after his trip. When he died, the Fassis built this mausoleum with its green-tiled dome to honour his memory. You'll find it just outside the medina ramparts, to the east of Bab Sagma.
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Koutoubia Minbar
Not to be confused with an ordinary staircase or a hotel beverage dispensary, this minbar (pulpit) is the Koutoubia's 12th-century prayer pulpit. With intricately carved cedar wood steps and minute gold, silver and ivory marquetry, this minbar is a credit to Cordoban craftsmanship under Moroccan rule and maâlem Aziz - the Metropolitan Museum of Art restoration uncovered his signature under the inlay.
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Cathédrale du Sacré Coeur
On the northwest edge of the Parc de la Ligue Arabe you can't miss the imposing Cathédrale du Sacré Coeur, a massive white church that gracefully blends European style and traditional Moroccan influences. The cathedral was designed by Paul Tornon in 1930 and has been used as a school, theatre and cultural centre. It is due to be restored and its rundown interior is only open for special events.
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L'kbir Mosque
Fez el-Djid's 'Grand Mosque' was built in the 13th century by the Merenid sultan Moulay Abou Youseef Yacoub and was subsequently used as a mausoleum for the sultans Abou Said and Abou Inan. Its architect was clearly influenced by the Kairaouine - peek into the courtyard to admire the lovely green tiles and delicate decorative plasterwork.
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Al-Oued Mosque
The rectangular courtyard of this 18th-century mosque is home to an assortment of fruit trees, and once had a stretch of the Masmouda River flowing through it (this was covered last century). The mosque itself, which is also known as the Lranja Mosque, was constructed over the ruins of the Merinid-era Al-Oued Medersa (River Medersa).
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Water Clock
Opposite the Bou Inania Medersa entrance, there are 12 windows above 13 carved beams sticking out of the wall. It's said brass bowls were set on the beams and that water flowed into them, making them chime out the hours of prayer. No-one knows how it worked; its secret lies buried with the magician who invented it.
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Sidi Ahmed Tijani Zawiya
The resting place of the founder of the Tariqa Tijaniya, a Sufi brotherhood, this exquisite zawiya and mosque is of great importance to devotees from all over North and West Africa, who visit it on their way to Mecca. It's greatly revered in Fez, second only to the Moulay Idriss Zawiya.
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Moulay Abdallah Mausoleum
This 17th-century mosque and medersa (theological college) was converted into a mausoleum in the 18th century and is the resting place of four sultans of the reigning Alawite dynasty: Moulay Abdallah, Moulay Youssef, Moulay Hafid and Moulay Abdelaziz. Non-Muslims cannot enter.
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El-Makoudi Mosque
This mosque is in the formerly Jewish area of Lihoudi , and is one of the few that doesn't have a minaret. The mosque's fountain is at the top of the street, and is particularly beautiful with carved medluk (fine sand-and-lime coating) and intricate zellij.
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Ibn Danan Synagogue
The Ibn Danan Synagogue was restored with the aid of Unesco in 1999. There are no set opening times as such, but someone will usually let you in and point out the main features, including a mikva (ritual bath) in the basement.
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Terrasse des Paresseux
The aptly named Terrasse des Paresseux, provides sweeping views of the port and, on a clear day, Gibraltar and Spain. A set of ancient cannons faces the bay, symbolically warding off usurpers.
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Diwane Mosque
It's worth taking a look at this mosque (even though you can't go inside unless you're a Muslim). The door and its canopy are beautiful examples of carved, painted wood, and there's carved plaster too.
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Moulay Idriss Mzara
This ancient niche in the wall is covered in zellij and surrounded by carved plaster. Rather than go all the way down to Moulay Idriss Zawiya, devotees can venerate their saint here.
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Sidi Bounafa Mausoleum
This mausoleum is said to be a favourite of the city's prostitutes, who make pilgrimages here to ask the saint for help when leaving the world's oldest profession.
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