One of the largest and most beautiful mosques in the world
Located in Casablanca, Morocco, the Hassan II Mosque was built between 1986 and 1993 for the 60th birthday of former Moroccan king Hassan II. Designed by French architect Michel Pinseau, approximately half the Hassan II Mosque sits directly over the Atlantic Ocean with glass flooring so worshippers can see the ocean below. It is the third largest mosque in the world settling in just behind Masjid al-Haram in Mecca and Al-Masjid al-Nabawi in Medina. The project is estimated to have cost as much as $800 million, funds that were remarkably raised entirely from public subscription.
The most distinctive characteristic of the Hassan II Mosque is its spectacular location on a platform over the Atlantic Ocean. Uniquely, part of the mosque’s floor is made of glass so worshippers can kneel directly over the sea. Unfortunately, this wonderful feature is mainly for royal use and is off-limits to visitors. All of the granite, plaster, marble, wood and other materials used in the construction, were taken from around Morocco, with the exception of some Italian white granite columns and glass chandeliers. 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.
Rising at 210 m, Hassan II Mosque’ minaret is the tallest in the world and is visible day and night for miles around. The mosque can hold a total of 105,000 worshippers, with space for 25,000 worshippers directly over the water and another 80,000 on the mosque’ ground outside.. The mosque displays strong Moorish influence and the architecture of the building is similar to that of the Alhambra and the Great Mosque of Cordoba in Spain. This is the only mosques in Morocco that are open to non-Muslim visitors. Rules: Visitors must be dressed modestly and remove their shoes for the tour. Head coverings not required. Non-Muslim visitors may enter the mosque on guided tours, which take place several times a day in English.
