A Frenchman’s dream. That’s what Roches Noires is. Can you imagine a Neo-Gothic church rising in this bustling Moroccan neighborhood?
Roches Noires or Assoukhour Assawda in Arabic is a vibrant district in Casablanca. It’s part of the Ain Sebaa-Hay Mohammadi district. Eugène Lendrat a Frenchman had a vision. He built the Église de Sainte Marguerite. This church was a replica of an 1860 church in Pau France. It was designed by Émile Boeswillwald.
After Morocco’s independence the church was transformed. It became Al-Quds Mosque. This reflects a significant shift in the neighborhood’s identity. A testament to the changing times.
Roches Noires wasn’t just about religious structures. It thrived as a diverse community. French Italian Portuguese and Spanish communities called it home. In the 1920s it was one of Casablanca’s most elegant areas.
The legacy of Roches Noires extends beyond its religious history. Jean-François Zevaco a French-Moroccan architect designed the Vincent Timsit Workshop. This workshop stands proudly on Boulevard Moulay Ismail. It was built in 1952.
Roches Noires’s population was 104310 people in 2004. It showcases a rich blend of architectural styles. A melting pot of cultures. Roches Noires is a place where history whispers through the stones. It’s more than just a neighborhood. It is a living testament to Casablanca’s past. A story etched into its very fabric. A story that continues to unfold.