- Address: Quartier des Habbous, Casablanca, Morocco.
- Opening hours: the palace is open to tourist groups, accompanied by guides from Monday to Saturday from 8:00 to 12:00 and from 14:00 to 18:00
The magnificent palace of Mahkama-du-Pasha today is one of the main attractions of Casablanca . It is a complex of 64 rooms with magnificent interior decoration, outlandish stone carvings, ancient ornate wooden ornaments and stunning beauty mosaics.
History of creation
The palace of Mahkama-du-Pasha dates from the middle of the 20th century. It was built in 1948-1952. At that time, Casablanca was developing rapidly, becoming the leading port on the western coast of the Mediterranean. The population of the city grew and a need arose to build a new, more spacious, luxurious and modern municipal building.
According to the architects who are developing the project of the building, the palace should combine Moroccan and French features of decoration and architecture, namely a complex of spacious halls and richly decorated interiors.
What is interesting in the palace of Mahkama-du-Pasha?
As soon as the construction of the palace of Mahkama-du-Pasha in Casablanca was completed, in 1952 it housed the city administration and city court. This is indicated by the very name of the object, because Mahkama-du-Pasha translates as "pasha court". Therefore, sometimes the Palace of Mahkama-du-Pasha is called the Palace of Justice, because it was here that earlier sentences were passed. Also in the old days, the palace held the traditional for Morocco ceremony of kissing the pasha's hand.
Outwardly the palace is perfectly preserved to our days, but it looks rather modest, and it can be said that it resembles a fortress. The central entrance to the palace is a massive gate of red color with unimaginable beauty forged. Visitors are greeted by white sandstone walls and emerald domes of the palace. Once inside the palace, you can walk along quiet and cozy courtyards with their fountains, rose bushes and ornamental trees.
The interior decoration of the halls and galleries amazes with its luxury and splendor. More than 60 rooms, completely different and beautiful in their own way. In the design of the halls there is an interlacing of features of Moroccan architecture and Moorish motives. For example, you will encounter a combination of snow-white marble and dark cedar, as well as a bizarre stucco and multicolored mosaic.
In the central hall, where receptions and solemn events take place, tourists will be shown a glass dome on a carved wooden base, as well as the finest carvings on the walls, called stukko. It can be seen on arches, as well as on arches of domes. Undoubtedly, the Moroccan tile "gulf" on the walls in the halls and massive forged chandeliers sparkling with colorful glasses deserve attention.
How to visit?
Currently, the entrance to the palace of Mahkama-du-Pasha is strictly limited to visitors in order to avoid disrupting the work of the municipality. You can get to it any day, except Sunday, from 8:00 to 12:00 and from 14:00 to 18:00 and only as part of a tour group with a guide who has permission to enter and conduct tours of the palace. Find a guide and those wishing to explore this magnificence of tourists and join the group is not difficult. Near the entrance to the palace visitors are always crowded and guides are offering their services.
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