Chasing Summer –

October 24th

About 17 years ago , I visited a friend who was teaching in Casablanca, and there was not really anything to see or do, so I wasn’t too excited about a return visit. Now, to be fair, it was a while ago, so I hoped things would be better, but I kept my expectations low.

A few friends on the cruise who have also been to Casablanca made some loose plans on going to Tangier instead as the train station is right beside the port and it only takes an hour to get there for about 3-8 euro.

This ended up not happening, and instead, we headed out for a walk around the old town or medina.

The cruise port and the container port share space, so it is a fair distance to get out of the restricted port area. About 2km of walking. Apparently, there was a shuttle for another cruise at the same dock as us, and some people were able to take that.

I walked the 2kms since I was going out for a walk anyway. First, I headed up towards the Cathedral of Casablanca and the lovely green space, Arab League Park, next to it.

From the park, it is a short walk to Mohammed V Square. On the square there is the court house (1923), the bank Al-Maghrib (1937), the central Post Office (1920), the Wilaya Building (1937, and the French Consulate-General (1922).

The Grand Theatre of Casablanca was added in 2020, and the fountain was repositioned.

I walked back towards UN Square and the underpass to the Medina.The underpass is definitely the safest way to cross the busy road, but many locals hop the guard rail and make their way through small gaps in traffic for a faster route.

At the edge of the medina is the Medina Gate and clock tower. The clock tower was built when the French was a power in 1912. It was to rival the minarets and remind the population that the French had the power.

The majority of the shops and stalls are found close to the Old Medina Gate.

After picking up my magnet, I had nothing else that I wanted to buy, so I quickly headed away from the shops and further into the residential section of the old city. Here, the roads twist and turn, and it’s easy to get lost.

There are many politically motivated murals on the walls, and every few streets, I could find another minaret. Since these are taller than the buildings around them, they can be used as rough guides.

It was getting close to lunch time, so many of the community bakers had the ovens going, and the local bread was piping hot, coming out at about 10 cents a loaf.

Within the old town, there are several minarets, but also a church, Church of San Buenaventura, which ceased to operate in 1968 and is now a youth house, sports center, artisinal ensemble and resource center. A block away is a synagogue, Ettedgui Synagogue.

Casablanca is famously known in the Western world because of the movie staring Humphrey Bogart. None of the film was shot in Casablanca, and Rick’s Cafe was entirely made up. In 2004, a Rick’s Cafe was built in a renovated mansion to mimic the cafe in the movie.

Besides the politically motivated murals, there are several others scattered around the old town.

The newer Casablanca is a far cry from the dusty and rabbit warren medina. It is the financial hub for the country and has modern malls and apartments being constructed.

I wouldn’t choose Casablanca as a must-see destination in Morocco, but since I found myself there, I made the most out of visiting the best parts.