Classicals

Architecture & Stories

[Classicals @_ClassicalSoul]

To highlight the scale once again - if you look closely (top right image), you will notice two men standing. They barely surpass the height of that tiny detail in that small corner of the roof.

King Hassan II didn’t just commission a monumental mosque - he intentionally used the project to revive, preserve, and modernize Morocco’s traditional crafts which were endangered in the 80’s.

This project revived traditional apprenticeship chains and centuries old technical methods/knowledge. All while advancing and adapting it to modern engineering and unprecedented scales.

Some also suggest he tackled rampant unemployment, while reviving domestic supply chains and industries.

[Classicals @_ClassicalSoul]

Completed in 1993 as king Hassan II’s monumental gift to Casablanca. A city he thought was lacking in spiritual essence.

He said, “I wish Casablanca to be endowed with a large, fine building of which it can be proud until the end of time ... I want to build this mosque on the water, because God's throne is on the water. Therefore, the faithful who go there to pray, to praise the creator on firm soil, can contemplate God's sky and ocean.”

It took 6,000 traditional craftsmen 5 years to complete the Zellige tiling all over the mosque. And the effort of 35,000 men totalling 50 million hours of labour to complete the mosque.

The ceiling of the great hall sits at a height of 60 meters with 40 meter high arches below. To help visualize, you can basically fit a 20 story building beneath the carved ceiling. That also means it’s tricky to notice people standing inside. If you look to the bottom left of this image, you’ll notice a man in white standing there.

[WANA Visuals @wana_visualss]

🇲🇦 Ceiling art at the Casablanca Mosque, Morocco, 1993.

[Classicals @_ClassicalSoul]

Same space as the image below.

Dar L���Bacha, Marrakech.

[WANA Visuals @wana_visualss]

🇲🇦 Ceiling art at the Casablanca Mosque, Morocco, 1993.

[Classicals @_ClassicalSoul]

Details from The Western Kingdom

[Classicals @_ClassicalSoul]

Dreamy Marrakech

[Classicals @_ClassicalSoul]

Joseph Campbell: “You can tell what’s informing a society by what the tallest building is…”

[Saad Maan. ��عد معن 🇲🇦 @SaadMaan15]

In islamic tradition, the highest building in a city must always be the mosque's minaret

There seems to be a rule in Casablanca that business/residential towers not exceeded about 150 meters (so far)

The Hassan 2 mosque's minaret reaches 210 meters

[Classicals @_ClassicalSoul]

@MemoryMedieval 👀

[Classicals @_ClassicalSoul]

Dreamy Marrakech

[Classicals @_ClassicalSoul]

@FeignedFlightM Backed and excited to see where this project goes 🤝

[Classicals @_ClassicalSoul]

@alamor4202 Not sure why that became mainstream but it seems some would put Barb as the prefix depending on the genetic composition.

[Classicals @_ClassicalSoul]

The Arab-Barb.

An exceptional breed that merges the agility, speed, and maneuverability of the Arabian horse with the strength, endurance, and grounded footing of the Barbary horse.

Elegance meets resounding strength.

[Classicals @_ClassicalSoul]

This is in fact one of the finest examples of savagery subdued and tamed.

There’s a reason great men from Alexander to Napoleon were depicted riding a horse.

While the horse represents instinct, nature, and the untamed, the rider represents reason, willpower, and the commanding force that subdues savagery to direct it an ordered synchronous way.

[Classicals @_ClassicalSoul]

@alamor4202

[Classicals @_ClassicalSoul]

Tinmel.

[Classicals @_ClassicalSoul]

12th century Mosque at Tinmel under reconstruction following its destruction by an earthquake in 2023.

This mosque was erected in 1148 to commemorate the founder of the Almohad movement, Ibn Tumart.

Tinmel was the refuge from which Ibn Tumart preached to his followers, and congregation point from which they would lead their attacks on the Almoravids whom they would later succeed.

[Classicals @_ClassicalSoul]

14th century | 20th century

[Classicals @_ClassicalSoul]

The painting comes to life in this early 20th century photograph .

[Classicals @_ClassicalSoul]

Nejjarine, Fes

[Classicals @_ClassicalSoul]

Times change but reverence and respect remain.

[Classicals @_ClassicalSoul]

Opener:

“The official visit of his Majesty Mohammed V to the south of the country, constitutes one of the most recent aspects of Moroccan sovereignty over Mauritania”

[Classicals @_ClassicalSoul]

In 1958 when you were French West Africa and nothing more than a potential future concept drafted on paper, tribal leaders from from the region were pledging allegiance to his majesty King Muhammad V.

[Classicals @_ClassicalSoul]

Young craftsmen renovating Sidi Bel Abbas, Marrakech.

[Classicals @_ClassicalSoul]

Painting by Eugene Delacroix titled Moroccan Fantasia, 1847.

[Classicals @_ClassicalSoul]

Hollywood would literally spend millions to stage a scene like this. But here are average men by the thousands, making it happen for the love of tradition, art, and battle.

"Sir Ridley Scott, we have surpassed thee"

[Classicals @_ClassicalSoul]

@andmanjon @vWs5IKVHuOA7Q5V Hmm. The law criminalizes the sexual exploitation of animals only if it causes injury.

If no injury, you’ll probably just face a small fine or community service.

[Classicals @_ClassicalSoul]

Moroccan Horsemen in Military Action.

A work of art by Eugene Delacroix from 1832.

[Classicals @_ClassicalSoul]

Not all cultures are made equal.