Old Medina of Casablanca

As we commence our exploration, allow me to warmly welcome you to the Old Medina of Casablanca. This is not the romanticized, sepia-toned movie set that so many travelers arrive expecting to find. …

We begin our physical journey into the heart of the past by standing before the imposing stone walls that encircle the Old Medina. These fortifications serve as a monumental boundary, sharply delineating the historical core of…

Navigating toward the northwestern edge of the Medina, we arrive at one of the most significant historical military installations in Casablanca: the Sqala fortress. Positioned strategically to overlook the bustling port and the…

We now penetrate deep into the purely residential heart of the Old Medina, leaving the wider transitional streets behind. Here, the true labyrinth begins. …

Emerging from the claustrophobic alleys, we step into a remarkably open and architecturally distinct plaza known as Place Belgique, or the Belgian Square. The sudden expanse of space allows you to step back and look upward,…

As we approach the agricultural and bakery center of the Medina, your sense of smell will undoubtedly alert you before your eyes do. The air here is thick with the warm, comforting, and overwhelmingly delicious aroma of freshly…

We have now stepped into the bustling, viscerally striking meat and poultry quarter of the Old Medina. Here, the narrow alleyways open up slightly to accommodate the heavy stalls of local butchers, and the visual landscape shifts…

Entering the domain of the fishmongers, the atmosphere shifts from the heavy, metallic scent of the butcher's block to the sharp, bracing, and unmistakable aroma of the Atlantic Ocean. Casablanca is, fundamentally, a port city,…

We transition now into a sensory wonderland that feels worlds away from the visceral realities of the meat and fish markets. Welcome to the commerce bazaars, the domain of the spice merchants, textile weavers, and leather…

Emerging from the dense, shadowy labyrinth of the Old Medina and stepping back out into the expansive, sunlit boulevards of modern Casablanca is a jarring experience. As you look back at the heavy stone walls you just navigated,…