The Hassan II Casablanca Mosque is a famous religious place throughout the world. More than 50 million hours were needed to build it. Part of the mosque rests on the sea, adding to its beauty. Its grandiose religious and cultural complex occupies nine hectares. It fits perfectly into the city of Casablanca, Morocco.
This mosque was financed by donations from all over Morocco, requested by King Hassan II. It is distinguished by its capacity to accommodate 25,000 faithful . Its esplanade can hold up to 80,000 people . The minaret, 210 meters high, proudly overlooks the city, combining tradition and innovation in its architecture .
Introduction to the Hassan II Mosque
The Casablanca Mosque Hassan 2 is a jewel by the sea. Located in the Casablanca-Settat region, it is a mixture of beauty and spirituality. This majestic place shows the art and know-how of Morocco.
Location and context
The Casablanca Hassan 2 mosque is an important symbol. It occupies 9 hectares, providing space for a large prayer hall and more. This place is impressive, being able to accommodate 25,000 worshipers.
It also has an ablution room, hammam and more. It is a comprehensive place for religious rituals and learning. This shows the importance of culture and faith here.
The work began on July 12, 1986 and ended on August 30, 1993. It was a colossal effort, with thousands of cubic meters of concrete used. It all cost a lot, but it was worth the investment to create space for more than 100,000 people.
Construction history
July 12, 1986 marked the start of construction of the Hassan II mosque . It was the first day of a huge project that would last several years. This mosque was built during the reign of King Hassan II.
It required major concrete work to resist the waves of the Atlantic. The budget for its construction came from the Moroccans and 80 million French francs in foreign aid. More than 50 million hours of work were carried out by more than 11,000 permanent workers.
The construction involved a huge number of people and ultimately cost 3.8 billion dirhams.
Beginning of the roadworks
Many people worked on the construction of Hassan II Mosque . This includes 1,500 master craftsmen and has created 80,000 indirect jobs. Cutting-edge technologies were used with concrete, cranes, and pumping arms to ensure the strength of the mosque.
The 20,000 m² prayer hall can accommodate 25,000 people. In addition, 80,000 worshipers can gather in the esplanade. This gives the mosque a total capacity of 105,000 people.
Inauguration
On August 30, 1993, the inauguration of the Hassan II mosque took place, in honor of the Prophet Mohamed. After seven years of hard work, she was ready to welcome visitors. The creation of this structure benefited from the expertise of French architect Michel Pinceau, workers from Morocco, and the French company Bouygues.
This mosque has become a major symbol of Greater Casablanca. Its 200 meter minaret is the tallest in the world. It is equipped with a laser, visible up to 30 km, pointed towards Mecca.
Architecture and ornaments
The Hassan II Mosque is impressive in its size and design. It mixes tradition and modernity. Moroccan craftsmen in the Hassan II Mosque played a key role in its construction. They brought her unique ornaments to life.
Contribution of artisans
From 1986 to 1993, more than 10,000 artisans worked on this masterpiece. More than 11,000 executives managed this gigantic project. They have accumulated 50 million hours of work. These Moroccan artisans at Hassan II Mosque have created a functional and beautiful work. This shows the rich artisanal know-how of Morocco.
Used materials
The building uses high quality Hassan II mosque materials . We find Carrara marble, cedar wood, stainless steel, zellige, and Fez tiles. Each material was chosen for its beauty and strength. Even the foundations are very solid. They ensure that the mosque remains stable facing the Atlantic Ocean.
The minaret of the mosque
The minaret of the Hassan II Mosque is a major symbol of minaret architecture . It stands at 210 meters, as much as 60 floors. This giant sits in Casablanca, impressing all who see it.
The design of the minaret combines tradition and modernity. It incorporates aspects of ancient Moroccan architecture. Additionally, it has a laser shining towards Mecca, helping Muslims in their prayers.
Building such a monument was a major challenge. Thanks to 300,000 m³ of concrete and 40,000 tonnes of steel, the mosque came to life. These materials formed the basis of this remarkable monument.
The beauty of the Hassan II mosque minaret tactile beautiful see. It is wrapped in traditional Moroccan tiles and is illuminated by 900 spotlights at night. Thus, he became the star of Casablanca, uniting tradition and modernity.
In addition to its splendor, the construction created 80,000 temporary jobs. This shows the talent of Moroccan artisans and their crucial contribution.
The minaret of the Hassan II mosque combines grandeur and technology. This shows the spiritual richness and social impact of this monument.
The prayer room
The prayer room of the Hassan-II mosque is immense and solemn. It can accommodate 25,000 people. It is a magnificent place, decorated with carved wood and zellige. The space even has a heated floor for the comfort of the faithful.
Capacity and dimensions
This prayer room has an area of 20,000 m2. It can therefore accommodate a large number of faithful. The exterior esplanade can also accommodate 80,000 people. This brings the total capacity to 105,000, showing the importance of this venue to the Muslim community.
Mobile roof
The Hassan-II Mosque has an impressive roof that can be opened in five minutes. This movable roof is not just for letting light or air through. It also represents a link with heaven, helping the faithful in their spirituality.
To build this place it took a lot of effort and skill. This shows how important the Hassan-II mosque is to culture and religion.
The ablution room
The Hassan II mosque ablution room is crucial for Muslims. Before praying, they must undergo a purification ritual here. This spacious place covers 4,800 m². It has 41 beautiful fountains decorated with zellige, which show the talent of Moroccan artisans.
Namedmuch, view from the outside. Inside, it combines utility and beauty. This creates a perfect place to relax and prepare to pray. Materials such as copper, zellige, and tadelakt enrich the appearance of this sacred place.
Its immense size, 4,800 m², is more than useful. This offers an immersion in traditional Moroccan art. Each person finds peace and purity there, ideal for prayer.
The Hassan II mosque ablution room is a key place for purification. It perfectly combines tradition and modernity. It is a place where believers cleanse themselves, both body and mind, before going to the prayer room.
The hammam
The hammams of the Hassan II mosque are magnificent. They are decorated with zelliges . These places are perfect for relaxing and purifying yourself. The renovation of the hammams of the Hassan II mosque began in September 2017. They opened to the public on May 2, 2019.
If you visit these traditional Moorish baths , you will be amazed. They cover an area of 6000 m². There are separate spaces for men and women. You will find in each hammam a 300 m3 pool. It is filled with warm sea water. This creates an atmosphere of true relaxation.
The prices for access to the Hassan II mosque hammam are quite low. They charge 50 DH for traditional baths. Health baths cost 150 DH. Other services are available, from 50 DH to 450 DH, depending on your needs. The total cost of the work and installation amounts to 60 MDH. This shows how crucial this project is for the Hassan II mosque.
By visiting, you can choose between different treatment rituals. There is the Atlas Ritual, the Middle Atlas Ritual, or the Great Ritual. These treatments ensure complete relaxation and well-being.
The Koranic school
The Hassan II mosque has a Koranic school. It is a special place to learn and meditate. It has everything needed for students and teachers.
Layout
At the school there are classrooms, meeting rooms and even a royal apartment. They surround a beautiful interior courtyard. This shape creates a peaceful and perfect place to study.
The facilities are designed to help pupils learn together.
Activities and lessons
This school offers special activities and classes. Students can improve their skills. They learn to recite and memorize the Quran. They also study his teachings.
Students know more about Islam, theoretically and practically. It’s a very enriching environment for them.
The library
The Hassan II mosque media library opened its doors in 2010. It covers a large area, 12,400 m2. It offers a wide choice of resources and services for everyone. It is part of the mosque.
It is divided into three levels. Two levels are especially for young people. So, it is a welcoming place for everyone.
Facilities and services
The media library has 860 seats, 107 of which have computers and an Internet connection. So you can research and learn on the spot. There are 122,357 diverse documents, in several languages.
These documents cover the arts, leisure, everyday life, books for young people, as well as scientific and technological books.
Specific spaces
Each level of the media library is designed to suit everyone. The spaces for young people offer dedicated reading and games corners. They are rich in educational material.
For adults, there’s everything from exhibition catalogs to research reports. There are also bulletins and exegeses.
Thanks to its numerous resources, the Hassan II mosque media library is a major cultural and educational center. There we find information that enriches and inspires.
The Hassan II Mosque Museum
The Hassan II Mosque Museum is a cultural gem. It offers a dazzling view of traditional Moroccan art and its history. The museum is nestled in the famous mosque complex in Casablanca. It highlights the rich artistic traditions of Morocco. We discover his art through the ages.
Permanent collections
The museum’s collections show the virtuosity of Moroccan artisans. The pieces include ceramics, rugs, ornaments and calligraphy. Each object has its story. They reveal the secrets of the kingdom’s master craftsmen.
Temporary exhibitions
The museum also exhibits temporary collections. They give a fresh look at art. There are African and local pieces and calligraphy. These exhibitions show the variety and evolution of art. They celebrate the rich culture of Casablanca and its surroundings.
Visiting this museum means delving into the history and art of Morocco. It is an immersion in its rich cultural heritage. It is the perfect place to discover the artistic treasures of Morocco.
Conclusion
The Hassan II mosque in Casablanca is not just a place of prayer. It is a great symbol of Moroccan art and architecture. It can accommodate 105,000 faithful. It is an important place for those seeking an experience rich in spirituality and culture.
In addition to prayer, visitors can see the prayer hall for 25,000 people. There is also an esplanade for 80,000 more. Its minaret is the tallest in the world, measuring 210 meters.
This minaret illuminates up to 30 km. This makes the mosque particularly attractive to visitors to Morocco.
The construction of the mosque involved materials sourced from all over Morocco. For example, marble from Agadir and cedar wood from the Middle Atlas. More than 1,500 local artisans helped build it. This shows the rich culture and talent of artisans in Morocco.
Visiting the Hassan II mosque means discovering the history and art of Morocco. It also means feeling great respect for sacred places. A visit here shows you the beauty of art and religion in Morocco. It is a memorable experience for all visitors.