Morocco

We arrived in Casablanca, Morocco’s largest city early in the mooring.  A pilot boarded the ship around 5 a.m. to guide us into port.

Rabat, A World Heritage Site–modern capital and historic city: a shared heritage

Our tour to Rabat and Casablanca started at 6:30 a.m.  We went to Rabat first where our first stop was the Royal Palace, the principal official residence of the king.  Its official name is El Mechour Essaid or the Venue of Happiness.  The Royal Palace is impressive with its Islamic architectural elements, including towering walls and ornate arches. The palace dates from 1864, when Mohammed IV commissioned its construction, symbolizing a bridge between the majestic past and a promising future. The palace is not only the main residence of the king, but it also houses the Royal Guard, the Collège Royal, a cooking school, and an extensive library.

As we entered through the first arch, we were warned not to take pictures of the guards. Later we exited through an arch we could photograph.  We began in the parking lot the mosque, a beacon of spiritual guidance. We walked past beautiful gardens to the magnificent mechouar, a parade ground in front of the palace, complete with two cannons. We could not enter the palace but could enjoy the beauty of the exquisite tiles and construction as well as the Royal Guards in costume outside.

Our next stop was the Mausoleum of Mohamed V.  Here the first guards we encountered were on horseback.  This elaborate mausoleum contains the bodies of King Mohammad V and his two sons.  Mohammed V died in 1961.  Hassan II commissioned the construction of his mausoleum which was designed by a Vietnamese architect. It uses traditional forms and modern materials, such as historical Moroccan arts and crafts.  Mohammed V encouraged traditional craftsmanship to promote a sense of Moroccan identity.  

The mausoleum stands on an elevated platform at the corner of the Yacoub al-Mansour esplanade opposite the Hassan Tower.  It is covered with white marble and showcases Islamic Architecture, including detailed mosaics, carved cedar wood ceilings, and ornate brass doors.  The exterior has Moorish arches and a pyramidal green roof.

Stepping inside, the mausoleum chamber is covered by a dome of mahogany wood with colored glass, while the walls are covered in tiles. The actual Tomb of King Mohammed V was carved from a white onyx/marble stone block, covered with geometric patterns of mosaic mini-tiles, and plastered. The doors, the walls, and the ceiling are covered with distinct traditional motifs and decorative designs. The building is illuminated by majestic chandeliers, has luxurious red carpets on the staircases, and is finished with flags. Uniformed guards stand at every entrance and seem to enjoy being photographed

Our next stop was the Kasbah of the Udayas. A kasbah is a fortress or citadel.  The monumental gate of the kasbah, located uphill and overlooking Rabat, is considered one of the most beautiful gates of the Almohad period in the 12^th century.  It is called Bab Oudaia. It has both an outer façade and an inner façade, that are richly decorated. The carved decoration around the arch features a curved band with interlacing geometric forms inside a rectangular frame with a quotation from the Qur’an in Arabic script.

As we entered the gate, we were confronted with a sea of white and blue.  Our guide called it the “Santorini” of Rabat. Walking through small alleys and nooks and crannies, you will pass in front of the old mosque, with its great minaret, as well as art galleries, with original works on the walls. 

Returning to Casablanca, we passed the modern opera house of Rabat.

Casablanca

Back in Casablanca the first place we visited was the Great Hassan II Mosque. It is the third largest Mosque in the world after Mecca and Medina. both in Saudi Arabia. Its minaret is the second tallest in the world at 689 ft.  Built between 1985 and 1993, the Casablanca Mosque can accommodate 105,000 worshippers in total: 20,000 men inside, 5,000 women in the balcony, and 80,000 outside on the concourse. It has electric heated floors for when it gets chilly in winter, and a vast electric sliding roof that opens in just 3 seconds and shuts in only 2 instead of air conditioning for hotter days. The open roof also demonstrates the connection of the people with Allah.  The building’s dimensions are 660ft in length and 330 ft in width. All the materials used in the construction, came from Morocco, except for some white granite and 56 glass chandeliers from Italy.  Half of the Mosque projects into the sea.

Apart from the mosque, other structures in the complex include a madrasa (Islamic school), hammams (bathhouses), a museum on Moroccan history, conference halls, and a very large library said to be the “most comprehensive in the Islamic world.” The 41 fountains in the courtyard are all decorated, and the garden around the mosque is a popular location for family picnics. 

From here we went to lunch at a traditional Moroccan restaurant around the corner from the Alexander Hotel you might remember from the movie Casablanca

Then it was on to Mohammed V square–the Pigeon Square. Designed at the beginning of the 20th century the French envisioned this square to be the center of the city.  The square, flanked by splendid period buildings that mix Art Deco elements with Hispano-Muslim, Andalusian, and new-Moorish influences, is today the administrative heart of Casablanca and is considered by many to be the central point of the city. At its center is a large circular fountain in front of the Palace of Justice. To the west is the modern Grand Theater of Casablanca, the area’s new icon. Other buildings surrounding it include the Palace of Justice, Post Office, Consulate of France, and Bank of Morocco.  As you can see from the pictures, it is filled with pigeons.

Leaving the square, we passed the former Roman Catholic Cathedral (now used as a cultural center) on our way to another Catholic church, Notre Dame de Lourdes, built in 1954 in the moder style.  It is noted for the stained glass by Gabriel Loire. The entryway and clerestory windows are amazing. After visiting this church, we returned to the ship to rest up before dinner.  This was our last port before Barcelona.

We departed Casablanca about 8:30 p.m. From there we passed through the Strait of Gibraltar and by Cabo de Gata Natural Park, known for its cliffs and lighthouses.  The park in Spain’s southeastern corner as a hot desert climate. Long sandy bays of turquoise water contrast with volcanic cliffs and smooth sand dunes. Next, we passed Cabo de Palos, a historic maritime landmark.  It is part of a small range of volcanic peaks that form a small peninsula.  The next morning, we reached Cabo de la Nao, or Cape of the Ship, near Alicante.  The cape is rocky, steep, and mostly composed of limestone.  Beneath the headland is a large cave, only accessible from the sea.  Atop the headland stands the Cap de la Nau lighthouse, an important aid to navigation.  The distance from Casablanca to Barcelona is 723 nautical miles.  We had one day at sea, between the ports.

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