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The Quartier Habous, or

nouvelle medina, is an idealized, almost toy-town

version of a traditional medina

with neat little rows of streets and shop stalls. The district was

built by the French in the 1930s as an attempted

solution to the ongoing housing

shortage

Mahkama du Pacha, a parliamentary building that not only houses the court of justice but also serves as a reception area for state occasions. Apparently construction of the Mahkama du Pacha commenced in 1948 and ended in 1952, and the architectural style of the building shows strong Moorish influences. The name of the building can be loosely translated as ‘Pasha’s courthouse’, which is appropriate considering the function of the building.Internet image

Inscription in Arabic, Berber, Latin alphabets

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The main problem with the Mahkama du Pacha as a tourist attraction is that, because it is in regular use, it can be difficult or impossible to gain access to the interiors of the building. The building is also sometimes referred to as the ‘Prefecture of Habouss’ and it is definitely worth viewing – even if only from the outside. This is a Hispanic-Moorish building comprised of more than 60 ornate rooms with delicately carved wooden ceilings. There are many stuccoes and intricate wrought-iron railings as well as beautifully-tiled floors

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There is an alarming hairstyle trend catching on among the Casablancan men, that involves lots of gel and a quiff to make Elvis's seem tame

The Quartier Habous marries

the best of traditional Moroccan

architecture with modern facilities

and French ideals

Habous Quartier, the

new medina of Casablanca

Text: InternetPictures: Sanda Foişoreanu Sanda Negruțiu InternetCopyright: All the images belong to their authors

Presentation: Sanda Foişoreanuhttps://plus.google.com/+SandaMichaela

Sound: “Best of Morocco” 2016