Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca, Morocco

Architectural Beauty

Built in 1993, the Hassan II Mosque is the largest in Morocco, and the only one foreigners are allowed to enter. And only by guided tour, mind you! But it was well worth it. Massive in scale, and every square inch is covered in intricate detail. Wood, metal, stone, tile, and paint all converge here, and the result is pure beauty. Six thousand traditional Moroccan artisans worked for five years to create the abundant and beautiful mosaics, stone and marble floors and columns, sculpted plaster moldings, and carved and painted wood ceilings. The exterior surfaces of the mosque display titanium, bronze, and granite finishes. The gigantic (30ft tall) motorized doors seen in the pics are made of titanium. 

Costing $771 Million to build, every family in Morocco was required to make a donation towards the construction. Inside, it can accommodate an astounding 25,000 worshippers at once, and another 80,000 in it’s courtyard. It’s minaret is the tallest in the world, and at night is topped by a huge laser, shining towards Mecca. This beam can be seen for close to 20 miles. 

The pictures were taken in August, at the end of the sweltering Moroccan summer! The rest of Casablanca was not much to write home about… but this building was amazing.