I hope I don't give you whiplash but we're back to Morocco today and the city of Casablanca.
There are quite a few photos, but again, I just can't narrow them down.
If you are a trooper and scroll through them all you will see my
favorite photograph from our time in Morocco.
When I hear the name Casablanca, I picture the romantic and exotic locale where
Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman simmered with passion.
We were only there for a few hours and I wouldn't call it romantic or exotic.
Casablanca
is the largest city in Morocco with a population of over 4 million,
many living in poverty in slums.
It's the main industrial zone of the country.
It's the main industrial zone of the country.
We stopped just long enough to visit the Hassan II Mosque.
It's the seventh largest mosque in the world and the largest one in Morocco.
It's also one of the few that are open to non-Muslim visitors and it's quite spectacular.
The Mosque was commissioned by King Hassan II in 1980.
Construction began in 1986 and the structure was completed in 1993 at an estimated cost of over $800 million.
The minaret is the tallest in the world at 689ft. The mosque is built on a platform over the Atlantic Ocean.
It can hold 25,000 worshipers during call to prayer with room for another 80,000 outside.
To give you an idea of the scale, you can see some visitors against the door on the right.
The resources to build the massive place of worship are all from Morocco,
with the exception of the venetian glass chandeliers and some Italian white marble columns.
The tile and wood work throughout is exquisite. I'm thrilled that they allowed photos.
If you plan to visit, you must be dressed appropriately.
We were given bags for our shoes and guided tours are available in several languages.
Below is my favorite photograph from our time in Morocco.
I would love to know what she is thinking as she has a quiet moment
looking out over the busy city of Casablanca enjoying the feel of the sun on her feet.
Our next stop is our final one and I have a few posts planned for Marrakesh.
I hope you aren't completely over all of my Morocco posts.
What is your favorite photograph from your recent travels?
I would love for you to share a link in the comments.
Mosques are some of my favorite buildings in the world... their architecture is just gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI love the mosaic tiles that are in this mosque! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSelena! Kudos! Your photos are nothing short of amazing. I love how much you have put the human element in them, but also the mosque photos are beautiful! Can't wait to see more.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous Mosque and so great that you were allowed inside! I loved seeing these photos!
ReplyDeleteThat last photo really is lovely. The buildings look so beautiful with all those details.
ReplyDeleteI watched a documentary about the world's most impressive religious buildings of our time a couple of years ago and it featured this mosque. I've been fascinated with this building ever since and if I ever make it to Morocco, it's right on top of my list of things to do! By the way, I love how you skip from Morocco to Iceland and back again - both great destinations that I love to learn more about! :)
ReplyDeleteThat is huge, love all the details and the inlay work....it does look very industrial in Casablanca...glad I passed over this on the way to Rabat when I visited.
ReplyDeleteI see why you like the last photograph so much. The ones that caught my attention were the other people photos. Namely man with boy on shoulders (but what I like is the people on the wall) and the slipper photo. Cheers.
ReplyDeleteI'm loving your series on Morocco! It is definitely on my bucket list- even if I have to drag my husband kicking and screaming. :D I'm working my way through posts on our trip to Scotland right now.
ReplyDeleteBrittny
www.awrittenjourney.com
I just can't get over the scale of it! It was massive. I would love to see it full of people.
ReplyDeleteMoroccan tile work is fabulous and so intricate! I love it.
ReplyDeleteOh, wow, Corinne. Thank you so much! You just made my day. Do you have a blog? I'd love to see some of your photograph!! Thanks so much for reading and commenting.
ReplyDeleteThere is one section where there is a glass floor so that you can see the seabed below. But it is closed to tourists. Can you imagine!? I would have loved to see that.
ReplyDeleteEven though I'm nervous about taking photos of people. Those are typically my favorite photos. The mosque was amazing and massive!
ReplyDeleteOh, Melanie. I'm going to see if I can find that online. I'd love to hear more about the mosque. It's huge! I read that there is a laser at the top of the minaret that points to Mecca. I'm glad you don't mind the skipping around. We'll be back in Iceland next week!
ReplyDeleteNoel, thank you so much for stopping by and commenting. You made my day! I absolutely love your travel photography site!! Morocco is such an amazing place to photograph, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for reading and commenting :D I have trouble photographing people comfortably, but they are usually my favorite shots. The ones you mentioned are all favorites of mine, too. What is the link to your blog? I'd love to connect.
ReplyDeleteWe're planning a trip to Scotland in June when my brother and dad are visiting. I will be reading your posts with great interest!!!
ReplyDeleteI do have a blog. You can find me and my photography at www.reflectionsenroute.com . I'd love to hear what you think. I think we may have similar taste!
ReplyDeleteOh, I can't pick a favorite! You've captured some really beautiful shots and I am dying to get to Morocco myself.
ReplyDeleteI love that last photo! The mosque is amazingly detailed! Wow!
ReplyDeleteThat would have been so neat!!
ReplyDeleteI highly recommend a trip to Morocco. It was a fascinating place. I learned so much.
ReplyDeleteIt was fantastic and so extravagant. The last one is my favorite. I just wonder what she was dreaming of.
ReplyDeleteI love it! I took a quick look and followed you on Bloglovin. I can't wait to spend some more time exploring your archive. I'm so glad that you found me! :D
ReplyDelete