Sacré-Cœur of Casablanca

The former Church of the Sacred Heart, usually called the Sacré-Cœur or the cathedral, is one of the most striking buildings in central Casablanca. It was designed by the French architect Paul Tournon and completed in 1930, during the French protectorate. Although everyone calls it a cathedral, it was never the seat of a bishop. It served as a church until 1956, the year of Moroccan independence, and was later handed to the city and deconsecrated.

What makes it worth seeing is the way Tournon combined a Gothic outline with Art Deco detail and Moroccan references. Two tall rectangular towers frame the facade, the walls are made of cast concrete used decoratively, and the tracery of the windows recalls the geometric screens found in mosques. Inside, the plan is that of a basilica, with five naves. The scale is generous, and the white concrete looks especially sharp against a clear blue sky.

After years of decline, the building went through a restoration lasting more than eight years and was officially reopened on 18 November 2023, with concerts to mark the occasion. Its management was entrusted to Casablanca Events & Animation, and it is now used for exhibitions, concerts and other cultural events rather than worship. Access to the interior depends on what is being staged, so check local listings or ask at the entrance; the exterior can be admired at any time.

The Sacré-Cœur suits architecture lovers, photographers and anyone interested in the layers of Casablanca's history. It is especially rewarding if you are following the city's Art Deco and protectorate-era buildings, which are spread across the centre. Allow 20 to 30 minutes to walk around the outside, longer if an exhibition is on. Late afternoon light on the facade is a good time for photographs.

The building stands on the western edge of Parc de la Ligue Arabe, the city's large central park, so it is easy to combine the two. Mohammed V Square, with its public buildings and the Grand Théâtre, is around ten minutes' walk away, and the Abderrahman Slaoui Museum is a short walk away. A coffee in one of the nearby cafés rounds off the visit.