The sun beats down on the ancient stones. Feel the warmth on your skin. This is the Ancienne Medina of Casablanca. A place where history whispers from the walls.
The Ancienne Medina isn’t like the grand medinas of Marrakech or Fes. It’s smaller more intimate. It’s a quiet reflection of Casablanca’s past. A past that began long before the city became a bustling modern metropolis.
Before the French protectorate before the Portuguese destruction even before the city was known as Casablanca. This very spot was Anfa a Berber settlement established in the 7th century BC. A thriving port used by the Phoenicians and then the Romans. They expanded the port and established lucrative trade routes throughout Mauritania.
For centuries Anfa flourished. Then came the Berghouata a Berber kingdom. They conquered Anfa in 1068 AD. Under their rule and later the Almoravids the port continued to thrive. Anfa became a significant trading hub. The Marinids in the 14th century further strengthened its position.
However Anfa’s prosperity attracted pirates. The Portuguese destroyed the city in 1468. They built a fortress the Sqala near the current location of the Ancienne Medina. This marked the beginnings of Casablanca’s medina. It is a unique blend of Moroccan and Portuguese architecture.
The Portuguese eventually left in 1755. An earthquake hastened their departure. Sultan Mohammed III rebuilt the city. He built high defensive walls protecting the medina from future attacks. He populated the medina with people from Essaouira the Haha tribe and the Bouakhers of Meknes. He gave it the name Dar el Beidaa The White House.
But the name Casablanca stuck. It’s a reminder of the Portuguese Casa Branca. The city’s cosmopolitan character is reflected in the medina’s architecture. The Ould el Hamra Mosque stands near the Ettedgui Synagogue and the former Spanish church. All testament to Casablanca’s history of peaceful coexistence.
Today the Ancienne Medina is a quiet place. It’s a reminder of Casablanca’s long and complex history. It’s a haven of traditional Moroccan life nestled amidst the modern city. Step into its narrow alleyways and discover a story in every stone. A story of resilience survival and enduring cultural richness. The Ancienne Medina is more than just a place. It’s a living testament to Casablanca’s enduring spirit.