Old City (Casablanca)- Travel Tips

What to See, How to Plan & Tours

Architectural Fusion and Daily Life Casablanca's Old City, locally known as the Medina or Habbous quarter, contrasts sharply with the city's French-colonial districts. Developed largely in the 18th–19th centuries under Sultan Mohammed ben Abdallah, its labyrinthine alleyways feature whitewashed buildings with traditional Moroccan elements: carved wooden balconies, wrought-iron window grilles, and arched passageways 26. Unlike older Moroccan medinas, Habbous incorporates early 20th-century urban planning, with covered walkways and orderly market squares designed to blend Islamic aesthetics with French functionality 610. Artisan workshops here produce handcrafted copperware, leather goods, and ceramics, while open-air stalls display pyramids of locally cured olives—a staple of Moroccan cuisine 6. Historical Layers and Symbolism The Medina's history reflects resilience. The original 15th-century settlement was destroyed by a 1755 earthquake; the current structure emerged during rebuilding efforts under French oversight (1912–1956) 610. Key landmarks include the Mahkama du Pacha—a former courthouse with mosaic-tiled courtyards—and the nearby King's Palace gardens, where Jewish communities once settled under royal protection 26. The area's unofficial name, "Pigeons' Square," stems from the flocks gathering around its central fountain, a social hub since the 1970s 17.