Casablanca-Settat is Morocco's economic heartland on the Atlantic coast: Casablanca with the Hassan II Mosque, the Art Deco downtown and the Ain Diab Corniche, plus the beach town of Mohammedia, the UNESCO-listed Portuguese City of El Jadida, the old port of Azemmour and the oyster lagoon of Oualidia.
Casablanca-Settat's story runs from Berber Anfa to Portuguese forts at El Jadida and Azemmour, the French protectorate that built Art Deco Casablanca, and the modern Hassan II Mosque.
Historical timeline
Key moments that shaped Casablanca-Settat.
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1
Anfa settlement
A Berber port town on the site of modern Casablanca.
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2
Portuguese raid on Anfa
Anfa is destroyed by a Portuguese fleet.
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3
Mazagan fortress founded
Portugal builds its fortified port at El Jadida.
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4
Dar el-Beida rebuilt
Sultan Sidi Mohammed ben Abdallah rebuilds the town.
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5
Mazagan abandoned
Portuguese leave Mazagan after a Moroccan siege.
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6
French protectorate
Casablanca grows into a port and modern city.
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7
Casablanca Conference
Allied leaders meet in Anfa.
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8
Independence
Morocco becomes independent.
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9
Hassan II Mosque opens
The mosque is inaugurated on the seafront.
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10
Mazagan on UNESCO list
The Portuguese City of Mazagan is inscribed.
Historical eras
The chapters of Casablanca-Settat's past.
Historical sites
Places where Casablanca-Settat's past comes alive.
Hassan II Mosque
Where: Casablanca
Admission: About 130-150 MAD ($14-16) guided visit
Old Medina of Casablanca
Where: Casablanca
Admission: Free
Sqala Bastion
Where: Casablanca
Admission: Free garden entry
Habous Quarter and Mahkama du Pacha
Where: Casablanca
Admission: Free; courthouse visits restricted
Sacré-Cœur Cathedral
Where: Casablanca
Admission: Free exterior
Portuguese City of Mazagan
Where: El Jadida
Admission: Cistern about 20 MAD ($2.15)
Azemmour Medina and Ramparts
Where: Azemmour
Admission: Free
Museums
Curated collections that tell Casablanca-Settat's story.