Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca (must see)

Not all the New City architecture of French Casablanca survived independence. One amazing structure that was torn down to make way for an equally amazing mosque was the Orthlieb Pool. Named for Georges Orthelieb, a municipal dignitary of Casablanca, the pool was a sea water pool with a giant spiral slide built on the rocks along the shore.

The pool was designed by architect Maurice L'Herbier. It opened in 1934 but fell into disrepair after Independence. It was demolished in 1981 to be replaced by the great Hassan II Mosque. The Hassan II Mosque is the second largest operating mosque in Africa and the seventh largest in the world.

The mosque was designed by French architect Michel Pinseau as directed by King Hassan II. Artisans from all over the kingdom took part in its construction. Its minaret looks out over the sea from a height of 689 feet. It is topped by a laser which directs light beams in the direction of Mecca. The walls are marble. The roof is retractable.

The basic plan of the building is a basilica rather than the more common T plan. The Qibia is perpendicular to the naves. The prayer hall is on the ground floor. The central hall features underwater views of the Atlantic Ocean. Also in the hall are domes with hanging glass chandeliers. The minaret is ocean green and turquoise blue.

The mosque can accommodate as many as 105,000 souls; 25,000 inside and 80,000 outside. It is east of the El Hank lighthouse, on a promontory overlooking the sea. In his birthday remarks in 1980, the king said, he wanted to build the mosque on the water so that the faithful, "... can contemplate God's sky and ocean." The king got his wish.