Casablanca that is. We took the 1pm train to Casablanca to see the Hassan II mosque. It is an hour train ride so we went 2nd class which is OK but very hot. However Casablanca is on the ocean so there was a nice breeze waiting for us.
We got the 3pm tour and there's were actually 6 in the English group which was fun. This is the only mosque in Morocco (and in most of the world) that non-muslims can even enter.
You can take pictures anywhere, but the reality is everything is so massive that picture are mini pieces you hope to paste together. The worship space holds 2000 men on the floor and another 500 women in the galleries. Every thing is made of materials that will not be effected by the sea, which actually lies under 1/3 of the building. In the areas where everyone washes up before prayer, the walls are made of a mix of clay, dirt, black soap and egg yoke. That way they absorb humidity from the air. The brass lanterns outside were corroded by sea air but the one in the washing rom was still clean from the treatment of the walls. How that concoction every came up is unknown.
Observation of church/state: the name of the mosque is Hassan II who was king when it was constructed. On the main pillars in front in gold letters is his family tree.
All the brochure informed us that there are restroom of equally find beauty to the restof the mosque. They we're nice, but I thought it was a good Chruch strategedy. "it's cool inside and we have nice restrooms!"
It was a wonderful visit to an impressive structure.
We got the 3pm tour and there's were actually 6 in the English group which was fun. This is the only mosque in Morocco (and in most of the world) that non-muslims can even enter.You can take pictures anywhere, but the reality is everything is so massive that picture are mini pieces you hope to paste together. The worship space holds 2000 men on the floor and another 500 women in the galleries. Every thing is made of materials that will not be effected by the sea, which actually lies under 1/3 of the building. In the areas where everyone washes up before prayer, the walls are made of a mix of clay, dirt, black soap and egg yoke. That way they absorb humidity from the air. The brass lanterns outside were corroded by sea air but the one in the washing rom was still clean from the treatment of the walls. How that concoction every came up is unknown.
Observation of church/state: the name of the mosque is Hassan II who was king when it was constructed. On the main pillars in front in gold letters is his family tree.
All the brochure informed us that there are restroom of equally find beauty to the restof the mosque. They we're nice, but I thought it was a good Chruch strategedy. "it's cool inside and we have nice restrooms!"
It was a wonderful visit to an impressive structure.
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