Many of our tours start in Casablanca. And the hallmark of this great city is its Hassan II Mosque. Therefore, it is worth spending some time at this spectacular monument, either with us as part of the tour or on your own, if you have time for it. In this post we will tell you everything you need to know to admire this Muslim temple, considered the third largest in the world..
Is it possible to visit the mosque and what can you see?
Yes, the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca can be visited. And for that reason alone, it’s interesting for any traveler, since in this country only Muslim believers can access the mosques, except for this one. However, visits can only be made when it is not prayer time or there is a religious celebration. In addition, to enter, a minimum code of conduct and dress must be respected: clothes that leave the shoulders uncovered and pants that do not cover the knees are prohibited. Women are not required to cover their heads, although they can do so voluntarily.
The spaces that can be visited are, broadly speaking, four:
- EsplanadeThe Esplanade: this is the large open courtyard located outside, built directly on the sea, evoking the Koranic verse that reminds us that Allah’s throne was built on the waters.
- The prayer hallThe prayer hall: a huge space of two hectares, with a capacity for 25,000 people and a height of 60 meters.
- The ablutions roomlocated in the basement, it has 45 marble fountains in the shape of a lotus flower, for the purification of all the faithful.
- MinaretMinaret: more than 200 meters high, it is considered one of the largest in the world.
Modern materials evoking traditional architecture
The Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca was built at the end of the 20th century and therefore uses modern materials optimized for this function, but it also uses traditional materials and techniques resulting in a neo-Andalusian architecture. neo-Andalusian architecture of the most spectacular. It is considered, therefore, the masterpiece of its author: the French architect Michel Pinseauwho was directly commissioned by King Hassan II to celebrate its 60th anniversary, although a large part of the budget was contributed by the public.
For example, the ceiling coffered ceilings and the wooden finials, made of Atlas cedar wood, stand out. Atlas cedar wood. The marble and pink granite of the ensemble, mainly in the pavement and the columns, come from other parts of Morocco, such as Agadirwhile the 30 chandeliers that illuminate the space were made of Murano glass. Murano glass. The profusion of zellige inside and outside
And to top it all off, 30,000 green tiles reminiscent of the roofs of places like Fez and Moulay Idris, but in this case they are not made of glazed ceramic but of cast aluminum. cast aluminumlighter and stronger, but with the same finish. All of this was meticulously installed, thanks to the work of more than 6,000 craftsmen who had the project ready in just six years.
Practical information for the visit
As of March 2025, when this article was written, these were the details to consider for the visit:
- ScheduleFrom 9:00 am to 1:30 pm and from 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm. During Ramadan, reduced hours from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm.
- Price30 dh. Reduced prices for Moroccans or adults resident in Morocco, 15 dh. And for children and students, 5 dh
- Noteto confirm this data and any other information on the official website of the temple (https://www.fmh2.ma/es)
