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Casablanca is home to the Hassan II Mosque, designed by the French architect Michel Pinseau. It is situated on a promontory on the Atlantic. Its minaret is the world's tallest at 210 metres. The mosque is also the largest in North Africa, and the third largest in the world. The great Hassan II Mosque was commissioned by its namesake, King Hassan II, in part to provide Casablanca with a single landmark monument. The Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca was completed in 1993 after great expense and artistic labor

The mosque has capacity

to accommodate

25,000 devotees for prayers in the

main hall 

Huge mezzanine floors with carved

dark wood furnishings, which are reserved for

women

The prayer hall is built to a

rectangular plan of 200 metres

length and 1,000 metres width with

three naves, which are

perpendicular to the qibla wall

The pillars of 13 metres height are square in shape

with engaged columns and

cruciform joining a series of pillars

Tradition and technology sit side by side, with colorful zellij

(mosaic tiles), intricate stucco and

carved cedar complementing the retractable roof and

heated flooring

Ceilings under the women’s

gallery

The doors are electrically operated

Uniquely, part of the mosque's floor is made of glass so worshippers can kneel directly over the sea. Unfortunately, this wonderful feature is mainly for royal use and is off-limits to visitors.But from a “riad” they can see the ablutions (washing) rooms on the lower level of Hassan II mosque

The building was designed to withstand

earthquakes and has a heated

floor and electric doors

carved arches in the Prayer Hall inside the Hassan II Mosque

The style of the Hassan II Mosque displays strong Moorish influences

Text: InternetPictures: Sanda Foişoreanu Sanda Negruțiu Internet pag2Copyright: All the images belong to their authors

Presentation: Sanda Foişoreanuhttps://plus.google.com/+SandaMichaela

Sound: Musa Dieng Kala - Kalamune 2016