Attraction
Hassan II Mosque
Casablanca's great waterfront mosque, inaugurated in 1993 with a 210-metre minaret, and one of the few mosques in Morocco that non-Muslims can enter on a guided…
Mohammed V Square
Casablanca's grand administrative square, laid out from 1916 and framed by Mauresque public buildings, a renovated plaza and the Grand Théâtre de Casablanca.
At a glance
- Type
- Public square
- Area
- Centre Ville, Casablanca, Morocco
Good to know
- Free entry
- Open at all times
Why we recommend it
Mohammed V Square is the formal heart of the colonial-era city and the best place to understand how modern Casablanca was planned. It was laid out from 1916, early in the French protectorate, to designs by Henri Prost and Joseph Marrast under the Resident-General Hubert Lyautey, who reportedly had the Place Stanislas in Nancy in mind. The site had previously been occupied by military barracks. Over the following decades it went through several names before being dedicated to King Mohammed V; locals still call it the Pigeons' Square.
The interest lies in the buildings around it, which mix French planning with Moroccan decoration in what is often called the Mauresque style. Going round the square you pass the courthouse by Joseph Marrast (1923), the former State Bank of Morocco by Edmond Brion (1937), now Bank Al-Maghrib, the central post office by Adrien Laforgue (1920), the Wilaya, the former city hall, by Marius Boyer (1937) with its clock tower, and the French consulate-general by Albert Laprade (1922). Take time to look up at the decoration on the facades, which is best appreciated slowly from the pavement.
In 2020 the square was renovated and repaved, the old pigeon fountain was moved across the avenue, and Christian de Portzamparc's Grand Théâtre de Casablanca opened on the western side. Designed with Rachid Andaloussi, the white, sculpted theatre holds an 1,800-seat concert hall, a 600-seat theatre and a smaller music room, and it is worth checking its programme if you are in town for an evening.
The square is free and always open, and it suits anyone interested in architecture, photography or city history. It is pleasant early in the morning, when the light catches the facades, and in the evening, when families come out to walk. Allow 30 minutes to an hour to walk around the buildings, longer if you combine it with a coffee nearby. There are no tours of the interiors of the government buildings, so treat this as an outdoor visit.
The square is a short walk from Boulevard Mohammed V and the Central Market. From here, Parc de la Ligue Arabe and the Sacré-Cœur are about ten minutes away on foot, and the Abderrahman Slaoui Museum is a little further west, so it makes a natural starting point for a walking day in the centre.
Mohammed V Square FAQs
Is Mohammed V Square free to visit?
Yes. It is a public square and is open at all times.
Who designed the square?
It was planned from 1916 by Henri Prost and Joseph Marrast under the Resident-General Hubert Lyautey.
Which buildings should you look for?
The courthouse, Bank Al-Maghrib, the central post office, the Wilaya with its clock tower, the French consulate-general and the Grand Théâtre de Casablanca.
Can you go inside the buildings?
Most are working public offices, so this is an outdoor visit. The Grand Théâtre is open to ticket holders for performances.
Why is it called the Pigeons' Square?
The nickname comes from the large numbers of pigeons that gather on the plaza.
How long should you allow?
Between 30 minutes and an hour to walk around and look at the facades.
What is nearby?
Parc de la Ligue Arabe, the Sacré-Cœur, the Central Market and the Abderrahman Slaoui Museum are all within walking distance.